Poll shows Marriage Equality free vote is a “smart move” for Abbott / Threat to QLD civil unions shows need for marriage equality
Marriage equality advocates have welcomed a new Galaxy poll published in the Sunday Herald Sun today showing 77% of Coalition voters want the party to allow a conscience vote on same-sex marriage, and say it would be a “smart move” if Tony Abbott allowed one.
The Galaxy poll also showed a majority of Australian in favour of marriage equality, with only a third of voters against the reform. (Report here)
Alex Greenwich, national convener of Australian Marriage Equality, said a conscience vote was a smart move for Tony Abbott.
“By allowing a conscience vote, Tony Abbott will represent the wishes of Coalition voters, prevent disunity in Coalition ranks, and be seen as upholding Coalition values of individual freedom.
“It would be a smart move for Tony Abbott to allow Coalition MPs a conscience vote on marriage equality.”
Mr Greenwich said that this is the first time in the party’s history that Liberal MPs have not been granted a conscience vote on a substantive policy issue when Labor MPs were granted one.
“The Liberal Party prides itself on allowing more freedom to their MPs than the Labor Party does, but on this issue Tony Abbott is turning his back on party tradition and liberal values.”
Mr Greenwich dismissed the argument that allowing a conscience vote would amount to a broken promise.
“Mr Abbott may have opposed marriage equality during the election campaign, but he did not rule out a conscience vote,” Mr Greenwich said.
Coalition figures who reportedly support a conscience vote include Joe Hockey, George Brandis, Christopher Pyne, Greg Hunt, Senator Nigel Scullion, Malcolm Turnbull, Barry O’Farrell, Simon Birmingham, Barnaby Joyce, Russell Broadbent, and former Howard Government minister, Amanda Vanstone. (Report here).
Threat to QLD civil unions shows need for marriage equality
Mr Greenwich went on to say that threats to Queensland’s Civil Partnerships Act from the state’s new LNP government show why marriage equality is so important.
“It is untenable for states to be granting recognition and then taking it away a few months later.”
“The solution is marriage equality under nationally law so that all loving committed couples have equal rights and recognition.”
For more information contact Alex Greenwich on 0421 316 335.
For the Courier Mail article on Queensland civil partnerships, go to: