"We have faith in the people of Australia to have a go," thundered Prime Minister Tony Abbott, "Because we understand that it is only by having a go that you are able to deliver the fair go that every Australian wants."

Mr Abbott, we hardly need to point out, wasn't talking about those who want to have a go at offering a fair go to those who want Australia to embrace marriage equality.

Opposition Leader Bill Shorten addresses the dead sea of empty government benches. Credit:Alex Ellinghausen

That was left up to Opposition Leader Bill Shorten as he moved his private member's bill to change the current definition of marriage - a union between a man and a woman – to "a union between two people".

It turned out to be a very private member's bill so far as Parliament was concerned.