As Christine Forster prepared to marry her long-term partner Virginia Edwards, the sister of Tony Abbott made a cheeky quip about the former prime minister’s attendance at her same-sex marriage.
Mr Abbott – who is famously opposed to gay marriage – was pictured beaming as he congratulated his sister at their Sydney ceremony at the weekend.
But in the lead up to the big day Ms Forster joked that her eager brother had banked on an invitation, without having officially been asked by the in-love couple.
Christine, (centre) a passionate marriage equality campaigner, wed her partner Virginia Edwards (left) at a ceremony in Sydney attended by her politician brother Tony Abbott (right) and his family
Christine Forster (right) officially tied the knot with her partner of 10 years only months after Australia passed the landmark same-sex marriage bill
Tony Abbott (pictured) a fierce campaigner against gay marriage, said he was ‘very happy’ for the newlyweds
Speaking in parliament after same-sex marriage was legalised in Australia, Mr Abbott declared he didn’t pretend to be an ‘overnight convert’ to support it, but was looking forward to attending the marriage of his sister Christine to her partner Virginia.
‘I thought that was a bit presumptuous – you haven’t got your invite yet buddy,’ Ms Forster told ABC’s Australian Story on Monday night.
During the program Ms Forster spoke about putting aside her and her brother’s opposing views and instead uniting over their family bond.
‘Tony and I we were, I hope, able to demonstrate that even though you have diametrically opposed views and sometimes one or the other of you might say something that really pisses off the other one, ultimately you keep it respectful, still love each other, you’re still family, and it’s not any reason to have a cataclysmic bust up.
Newlyweds Christine and Virginia made a majestic arrival down a floral staircase and Tony and Margie posed for a family photograph on stage following the vows
The smitten couple dressed for the occasion in matching navy outfits, with Christine (right) choosing a long tailcoat jacket while Virginia opted for a hooded gown
‘I’m really optimistic,about the fact, that everybody now, is starting to understand where we all sit in this new shared future,’ she said.
Tony Abbott’s sister Christine Forster officially tied the knot with her partner of 10 years only months after Australia passed the landmark same-sex marriage bill.
Christine, a passionate marriage equality campaigner, wed her partner Virginia Edwards on February 2nd at a ceremony in Sydney attended by her politician brother and his family.
The fierce campaigner against gay marriage said he was ‘very happy’ for the newlyweds.
Their nuptials were the first high-profile same-sex wedding since marriage equality law was passed in Australian Parliament on December 7 last year.
‘I’m very happy for Chris and Virginia and I’m looking forward to having a new sister-in-law,’ he told reporters outside the ceremony.
The 200-strong guest-list did include most of the Abbott family, including Tony and his wife Margie, her mother Fay, sister Pip and Tony’s two other daughters Louise and Bridget.
Newlyweds Christine and Virginia made a majestic arrival down a floral staircase and Tony and Margie posed for a family photograph on stage following the vows, the ABC reports.
It was the first high-profile same-sex wedding since marriage equality law was passed in Australian Parliament on December 7 last year.
Christine, a passionate marriage equality campaigner, wed her partner Virginia Edwards on February 2nd at a ceremony in Sydney attended by her politician brother and his family
Tony Abbott (pictured) who was fiercely opposed to gay marriage in Australia, sat in the front row of his sister’s nuptials