- BOTH LEADERS TAKE STEP FORWARD ON MARRIAGE EQUALITY
- ADVOCATES WELCOME RUDD’S PRIORITISATION OF REFORM
Advocates say tonight’s leadership debate shows how far Australia has come since the 2010 election when the leaders of both major parties vocally opposed marriage equality.
During this evening’s leaders’ debate Kevin Rudd committed to introduce marriage equality legislation in the first 100 days of a re-elected Labor Government, while Tony Abbott declared it ‘a very important issue’ and failed to defend the status quo.
Australian Marriage Equality national convener, Rodney Croome, said,
“Mr Rudd’s plan for prioritising marriage equality in the first 100 days of a Labor Government is an important step forward, but he can’t achieve this reform himself, putting the onus back on Tony Abbott to allow a conscience vote.”
“Our hope that Tony Abbott will allow a conscience vote has been strengthened by his declaration during the debate that marriage equality is ‘a very important issue’ and the fact he pointedly didn’t defend the status quo or argue against the reform.”
“This evening’s debate shows how far Australia has come since 2010 when both leaders openly defended the exclusion of same-sex couples from marriage.”
“For both current leaders it is not so much a matter of if, as when.”
Mr Croome says he believes voters will welcome Mr Rudd’s commitment.
“Recent polling has shown Mr Rudd’s pro-marriage equality stance is popular among younger voters, and this popularity just took a big boost.”
“The message to Coalition candidates is that by opposing marriage equality you are effectively saying to young Australians ‘don’t vote for me’.”
The Worm, an indicator of public response during the Leaders’ Debate, was low during Mr Abbott’s response but shot up when Mr Rudd spoke.
Today, Australian Marriage Equality called for a cross-party working group to help achieve marriage equality in the next parliament, a move endorsed by the Greens. For more click here.
For recent polling showing Kevin Rudd’s stance is popular among young voters, click here. For recent polling showing young voters believe marriage equality is a high priority, click here.
For more information contact Rodney Croome on 0409 010 668.
Author: Rodney Croome
Publication:AME Media Release
Date: 11 August 2013