Kevin Rudd backs gay marriage: Tony Abbott says he can change his mind Tony Abbott says Kevin Rudd is entieled to change his mind on gay marriage but says he won't. Picture: Ramage Gary Source: The Australian OPPOSITION Leader Tony Abbott says Kevin Rudd is entitled to change his mind, after the former PM said he now backed gay marriage. His comments come after former prime minister Kevin Rudd said on Monday he had changed his mind on gay marriage and now believed parliament should make it legal. Speaking on Sydney radio, Mr Abbott said: "People are entitled to change their mind. But, he added: "I haven't changed my mind. I respect people who don't share my traditional position on this. Each of us come to this position in a unique and personal way. Mr Abbott said he had changed his mind on some things int he past. Years ago I was very hostile to a paid parental scheme [and multiculturalism]. My sister Chris is gay. Certainly that whole coming out process was a testing time for her and our family. It forces all of our to confront various things in our hearts. Good on Chris for her courage, she and I have polite, respectful and vigorous discussion on this. Meanwhile, Foreign Minister Bob Carr says the parliamentary numbers may be shifting in support of legalising same-sex marriage.