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Malcolm Turnbull has warned his predecessor Tony Abbott not to "censor" free speech, as politicians clash over rapper Macklemore's visit to Australia.
- Mr Turnbull said "I don't think we should go around censoring playlists"
- Macklemore is expected to play his pro-SSM anthem Same Love at the NRL grand final
- Mr Abbott said this week footy fans should not be subjected to a "politicised" grand final
The Prime Minister described the American as a "great artist", who should be allowed to sing all his hits at Sunday's NRL grand final, despite calls for one song to be banned.
"He should perform whatever he wants to perform, I mean for heaven's sake, it's the half-time entertainment at the grand final," Mr Turnbull told the Ten Network.
A clutch of conservatives, led by Mr Abbott, are bucking against Macklemore's message in the song Same Love, a pro-same-sex marriage anthem, which will be performed as millions of Australians have their say on marriage laws.
Mr Turnbull joined Attorney-General George Brandis in rebuking Mr Abbott's comments that "footy fans shouldn't be subjected to a politicised grand final".
"Trying to censor the playlist at the half-time entertainment at the grand final is not consistent with taking a liberal approach to free speech," Mr Turnbull said.
"I assume Tony is expressing an artistic view, he is entitled to express a view about songs.
"I am a free speech person. I believe in free speech … I don't think we should go around censoring playlists on songs. Let him play the song."
In a candid interview, which included some spontaneous rapping of his own, Mr Turnbull insisted the same-sex marriage debate was being conducted respectfully.
"The reality is a democracy operates by giving people their say.
"Now I grant you, this survey doesn't have a precedent, it's new. But it is democratic and I have to tell you, I think the vast majority of Australians have embraced it with enthusiasm and with good humour."
Senator Brandis yesterday argued the No campaign was trying to shut down freedom of speech.
"It is one of his most popular songs, and for Mr Abbott or anyone else to say that it should be banned I think is a bizarre thing to say," he said.
"I thought Mr Abbott believed in freedom of speech."
Mr Abbott has the support of Immigration Minister Peter Dutton and crossbencher Bob Katter who said politics should be left out of sport.
The NRL has defended its decision to bring Macklemore to Sydney.
Topics: gays-and-lesbians, community-and-society, music, arts-and-entertainment, nrl, rugby-league, turnbull-malcolm, abbott-tony, political-parties, government-and-politics, australia
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