Marriage equality advocates are increasingly hopeful of Coalition a conscience vote on the issue as support grows in Coalition ranks.

The Pott’s Point/Elizabeth Bay branch of the Liberal Party has written to Coalition leader, Tony Abbott, calling on him to allow a conscience vote while Liberal former NSW premier, Nick Greiner, has described Abbott’s opposition to a conscience vote as “bizarre”.

Australian Marriage Equality, national convener, Alex Greenwich, said,

“I am hopeful we will see a Coalition conscience vote sooner rather than later because support for it is accelerating.”

“Just as Julia Gillard couldn’t stop the wave of change that saw Labor adopt a pro marriage equality policy, Tony Abbott won’t be able to stand in the way of the wave of support for a conscience vote that is sweeping through his Party.”

Because the Labor Party has a conscience vote on marriage equality, the Coalition must also allow a conscience vote to give reform the best chance of success.

For more on the Potts Point/Elizabeth Bay motion click here.

For more on Nick Greiner, click here.

For more information contact Alex Greenwich on 0421 316 335

Recent developments on a Coalition conscience vote:

The Pott’s Point/Elizabeth Bay branch of the Liberal Party passed a motion supporting a marriage equality conscience vote and written to Tony Abbott asking him to allow such a vote.

Liberal former NSW Premier, Nick Greiner, confirmed his support for marriage equality, and says he is appalled at Abbott’s “bizarre” decision not to allow a conscience vote.

Liberal former Victorian Premier, Jeff Kennett, announced his support for marriage equality and a conscience vote.

The NSW Young Nationals passed a motion in favour of marriage equality conscience vote
A similar motion was only narrowly defeated by the NSW National Party State conference with many members voicing support for a conscience vote.

A Senate inquiry into marriage equality recommended a Coalition conscience vote. Two Liberal Senators on the inquiry supported the recommendations (Senators Simon Birmingham and Sue Boyce), while a former Liberal Senator, Chris Puplick, wrote a compelling submission to the inquiry.

Liberal NSW Premier, Barry O’Farrell, allowed a conscience vote on a marriage equality motion in the NSW Upper House that was supported by several Coalition MLCs including Trevor Khan.

Polling shows 77% of Coalition voters wants a conscience vote.