Advocates have welcomed the Palmer United Party’s decision to allow a conscience vote on marriage equality, saying it increases pressure on the Coalition to follow suit.

Australian Marriage Equality national director, Rodney Croome, said,

“We welcome the Palmer United Party’s decision because it recognises marriage equality is about personal values not politics.”

“It also increases the pressure on Tony Abbott to allow the Coalition a conscience vote on the issue.”

Clive Palmer today announced he will allow his Party’s MPs a conscience vote on a range of social issues including marriage equality.

The Labor Party already allows a conscience vote. Tony Abbott has said the Coalition party room could decide on the issue of a conscience vote after the election.

Mr Croome also welcomed Pope Francis’s call for gay people to be integrated into society and not marginalised.

“Pope Francis’s words will have a very positive impact, especially in those parts of the developing world where the Catholic Church has significant influence and where there are high levels of hate and persecution against gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender and intersex people.”

“While the Pope still opposes marriage equality and thinks homosexual sex is sinful, he has opened up a space for discussion about these issues that did not exist under his predecessors.”

“This is glasnost for gay Catholics.”

For a report of the Palmer United Party’s decision, click here.

For more information contact Rodney Croome on 0409 010 668.