Marriage equality advocates have welcomed support for reform from the next Premier of South Australia, Jay Weatherill.
At a media conference in Adelaide yesterday Mr Weatherill said “I’ve always been a supporter of same-sex couple marriage,”
Australian Marriage Equality spokesperson, Peter Furness, said Mr Weatherill joins almost all other states Labor leaders in supporting same-sex marriage.
“We welcome Mr Weatherill’s support for marriage equality, as will the majority of South Australians who support equality”, Mr Furness said.
“Mr Weatherill joins Labor leaders in Queensland, NSW, Victoria, Western Australia, Tasmania and the ACT who all support equality”
“This high level of support for marriage equality helps build momentum for change in the lead up to the ALP National Conference in December”.
In October last year a Galaxy Research poll found that 62% of South Australians believe same-sex couples should be allowed to marry (see below).
In may this year a Galaxy Research poll found that a massive 84% of South Australians believe the reform will happen, compared to 74% nationally (see below).
Mr Weatherill joins the majority of ALP State and Territory Leaders who support marriage equality, including NSW Labor Leader, John Robertson, Victorian Labor Leader, Daniel Andrews, Queensland Premier, Anna Bligh, West Australian Labor Leader, Eric Ripper, Tasmanian Premier, Lara Giddings and ACT Chief Minister, Katy Gallagher.
State Labor conferences have passed motions endorsing marriage equality in South Australia, Queensland, Victoria, Western Australia, Tasmania, the Northern Territory and the ACT. The ACT and Tasmanian state conferences have also ruled out civil unions as substitutes for marriage equality.
For the October 2010 Galaxy poll go to: http://ur.ly/WGEF
For the May 2011 Galaxy poll go to: http://ur.ly/WGEA
For more information contact Peter Furness on 0425 848 723.