Now that we're alone, I'd like to point out that fortune has indeed smiled on you. You've been served up the opportunity to make history, to do your leader, the government, the economy and the nation a great favour.

For the effort of walking a few of dozen metres, a couple of you would save the budget hundreds of millions of dollars. There are claims you might also save you some lives. How often, if ever, does a backbencher get the chance to do that? How often does anyone?

Sure, it's not entirely easy. You would be pilloried by a minority of people and hated by some of your own party. But you'd be recognised as a hero by others, a person of real conscience and principle, the sort of person prepared to give politics a better name.

Yes, there would be a good chance the haters would organise to have you sacked, for you to lose your preselection. Let's be honest about that – on a risk/reward ratio, with the opportunity of really achieving something in Federal Parliament, would that be so bad?

The fact is, most of you will pass through parliament without leaving a mark. Oh, you work hard to help your constituents - a visa here, a social security snafu sorted there, Australia Day speeches, a netball court around the corner. And you might try to be heard on policy formation. The reality though is that you're a political pawn, a number when the division bells sound, a head to be counted during leadership spills.

There's no field marshal's baton in your rucksack. You're going to jump when you're told to jump and never make ministerial rank.

Those with more brains than religious dogma in your party would recognise what a huge favour you'd done them. They know the marriage equality plebiscite is a distraction that isn't helping the government, that will drag on and drag down performance. It's a colossal waste of money, a bat that's been given to the opposition with which to whack the government and they're making the most of it.

So here's your chance. Our definition of marriage is rather obviously a matter of conscience. If you have a conscience, you have a duty to exercise it. If you don't – oh dear. That really would make you a waste of space, however long you hold your seat, however comfortable your parliamentary pension.

History is beckoning, the opportunity for a couple of backbenchers to lead the nation when the nominal leader can't, to demonstrate what personal integrity can do. Rise above party politics while actually helping your party a great deal. Cross the floor to bring on a parliamentary vote, vote according to your conscience and have achieved something your grandchildren will be proud of.

Be strong, be brave – you'd make Australia a better place. That's what you're there for – isn't it?