NSW Premier Barry O’Farrell has said if it was his decision, he would allow the coalition a conscience on the issue of same-sex marriage. Mr O’Farrell joins South Australian Liberal Leader, Isobel Redmond, in support of a coalition conscience vote on same-sex marriage. Mr O’Farrell leads the strongest coalition government in the country with an overwhelming majority of seats in the state’s lower house.
The NSW Premier expressed his support today in response to the following tweet from Australian Marriage Equality National Convener, Alex Greenwich, on the issue:
Alex Greenwich: @Barryofarrell what are your thoughts on a coalition conscience vote on marriage equality?
Barry O’Farrell: @AlexGreenwich that’s how it would be handled if it was the issue before the NSW Parliament.
Mr Greenwich welcomed the Premier’s comments on the issue: “The Premier knows that there is growing support for marriage equality within the coalition, and understands the importance of allowing that support to be expressed”.
The Premiers statement comes as there is growing pressure within the Federal Coalition on Tony Abbott to allow a conscience vote on the issue, with one influential Liberal recently telling the Australian:
“It will be very hard for a party that prides itself on giving its members greater freedoms than the Labor Party to enforce a party vote on an issue that has a moral dimension.” (Full details here).
Liberal MPs Malcolm Turnbull, Teresa Gambaro, and Joe Hockey all recently surveyed their electorates on issue and found overwhelming support for reform:
Malcolm Turnbull: 75% of electorate support full marriage equality (details here)
Teresa Gambaro: 73% of electorate support full marriage equality (details here)
Joe Hockey: 78% of young voters support full marriage equality (details here)
Mr Greenwich warned Mr Abbott about not allowing MPs to express their constituent’s views:
“Mr Abbott would be putting key MPs in a very precarious position at the next election if he forced them to vote against the overwhelming wishes of their constituents,” Mr Greenwich said.
For more information please contact Alex Greenwich on 0421 316 335.