How can plebiscite be gov policy without gov funding it? - Greens (video)

The Dunlop Volley's add campaign

The gov has been stumped in senate estimates by a question from the Greens about the gov's continued adherence to a marriage equality plebiscite rather than having a free vote in parliament. Nothing more of course than continuing to use the plebiscite to stall marriage equality.

However, despite it being gov policy, the $160 million funding has been removed from the forward estimates in the budget.

So the question is to Brandis, How can a plebiscite still be gov policy when the gov isn't funding it? Brandis is stumped and comes out with some silly comment about "language".

How can a plebiscite be govt policy if they don’t intend to fund it? An #estimates question on behalf of Abbott and Abetz's "deplorables"... pic.twitter.com/lKfmP6kF3l

— Janet Rice (@janet_rice) February 28, 2017