WATCH: The Veronicas deliver equal marriage message for Oz PM

Pop duo The Veronicas have posted a Youtube video asking Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott to permit his Coalition MPs a conscience vote on marriage equality.

In the video, twin sisters Jess and Lisa Origliasso plead to the PM – who has been staunchly vocal in his opposition to same-sex marriage – to let Liberal party MPs vote on the issue before a cross-party bill is heard in the House of Representatives sometime within the next fortnight as Australian Parliament returns for its Spring sitting.

Tweeting the video to Abbott with the question “Are you listening?”, the pair outlined their support for full marriage equality.

“The example set by government is so powerful and so influential, and that’s why we’re speaking to you today,” they said.

“Mister Abbott, you have missed the opportunity to become a world revolutionary leader on this matter and now it’s time to align with the growing number of governments who have paved the way for us, and not continue our alignment with governments who persist in restricting equal human rights and social progression for its people and country.”

Adding that a marriage tradition founded upon laws of discrimination and prejudice does not deserve sanctity in the name of history, the twins said “it’s time to live in a country that recognises all people as equal”.

“We believe in celebrating a diverse Australia. We also believe as humans we are all inherently connected and that our similarities far outweigh our differences,” they said.

“We all experience love. We all experience fear. We all bleed the same way.

“The LGBTQI community contributes fully to an economic, social and cultural Australia. Doctors, teachers, musicians, farmers, army personnel, police officers, sports stars, students, tradespeople, journalists, small business owners, large corporation owners, mums, dads and politicians. And even your own sister, Prime Minister.

“We are not fighting for special rights – we are fighting for our equal rights.”

The video follows their appearance at a Brisbane marriage equality march over the weekend, organised by Equal Love Brisbane, where they spoke in support of the legislative change before a crowd of over 5000 people.

Watch the full video below.

Check out the video for the duo’s most recent UK single, the equality anthem If You Love Someone:

Words by TROY NANKERVIS.