Australia’s Attorney General, George Brandis, has thrown his support behind Macklemore while calling out former Prime Minister Tony Abbott for not supporting the American musician’s upcoming performance of marriage equality anthem ‘Same Love’ at the 2017 NRL Grand Final.
A petition was launched by former NRL player Tony Wall yesterday, calling for the song to be banned from the Grand Final pre-show, which received support from Abbott on social media.
Speaking on ABC News this morning, Brandis said he believes the song should be allowed.
“This particular song is one of four songs, I believe, that Macklemore is singing,” he said.
“It’s 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.
“I thought Mr Abbott believed in freedom of speech.”
Macklemore has since responded to the controversy surrounding his upcoming NRL Grand Final performance, after being criticised by “angry old white dudes” for planning to perform ‘Same Love’ in Sydney on Sunday night.
Yesterday it was also reported that some North Queensland Cowboys players were allegedly fuming after one of their training sessions was moved to a different venue, so that Macklemore could rehearse in ANZ Stadium.
The 2017 NRL Grand Final will see the Cowboys go up against the Melbourne Storm.
