Advocates have thanked Brisbane Liberal MP, Teresa Gambaro, for declaring her support for marriage equality at a forum in Brisbane this evening, and have claimed Ms Gambaro’s change of heart as a victory in their election campaign.
Australian Marriage Equality (AME) national director, Rodney Croome, said,
“We thank Teresa Gambaro for her stand in favour of a reform that is good for families and good for Australia.”
“It’s great to see her join her Liberal colleagues like Malcolm Turnbull, Wyatt Roy, Sue Boyce and Kelly O’Dwyer on the right side of history.”
“Ms Gambaro’s support for marriage equality increases pressure on the Coalition to allow a consicence vote so that, if she is elected, she can vote for the reform.”
The man who led the campaign in Ms Gambaro’s seat of Brisbane, Phil Browne, said,
“The Brisbane electorate strongly supports marriage equality and I’m pleased to see Teresa Gambaro representing that support.”
“Even Teresa Gambaro’s own electorate survey in 2010 found 73% for marriage equality.”
“No matter which major party candidate wins on September 7th the seat of Brisbane will be represented by someone who supports this important reform.”
AME announced last week that the seat of Brisbane would be a key target seat in the group’s national election campaign.
Last weekend, August 17th and 18th, AME distributed nearly 70,000 leaflets in the seat calling on voters to contact Teresa Gambaro and urge her to support marriage equality. The leaflets also highlghted her Labor and Green challengers’ support for the reform.
A further leadfletting campaign was planned at train stations and markets in the electorate in the lead up to September 7th election.
Mr Croome said,
“Teresa Gambaro’s change of heart is a sign that our election strategy is working, and will now direct the remaining resources that were intended for Brisbane to other electorates.”
Over the next two weekends AME will distribute leaflets similar to the Brisbane leaflet in the seats of North Sydney, Curtin, Wills and Sturt calling on their respective sitting members, Joe Hockey, Julie Bishop, Kelvin Thompson and Christopher Pyne to support marriage equality.
For more information contact Rodney Croome on 0409 010 668 or Phil Browne on 0428 140 359.
Author: Rodney Croome
Publication: AME Media Release
Date: 22 August 2013