PM welcomes candidate Singh's resignation

Prime Minister Scott Morrison is refusing to say why it was acceptable for a Liberal candidate to link same-sex marriage to paedophilia, but beyond the pale to dismiss a rape claim.

Gurpal Singh, contesting the Victorian seat of Scullin, held on after his homophobic comments emerged but was forced to resign after claiming a man accused of raping his wife was the "real victim".

"I'm not going to get distracted by these issues. The party in Victoria was handling that matter. The candidate has resigned. I welcome his resignation," Mr Morrison told reporters in Rockhampton on Friday.