In the wake of the federal election, representatives of AME made regular visits to Parliament House in Canberra seeking the views of our federal representatives on marriage equality.
It was a very different lobbying atmosphere from the one I was familiar with. Up until the election it was hard for most politicians to put the words “gay” and “marriage” in the same sentence. The profile of marriage equality in the election campaign changed all that. Suddenly, MPs were happy to discuss the issue, and many openly expressed their support for reform for the first time. You can see the results of our lobbying here.
Now it’s time for everyone to be a lobbyist. In November Parliament voted in favour of a motion calling on all MPs to consult their constituents on the issue. Opponents of reform are flooding MPs with letters opposing equality. If you, like us, want the momentum for change to continue, please write to your local MP supporting equality and seeking a meeting to explain why.
AME Campaign Co-ordinator, Rodney Croome, 14.12.10