Julie Bishop won’t be drawn on whether she will support marriage equality.
A lobby group says it will highlight the issue in Ms Bishop’s Curtin electorate next weekend by distributing 40,000 flyers.
Australian Marriage Equality says its polling shows “very high levels of support” in Curtin for gay marriage.
“In a coalition government, Julie Bishop will be a key player,” AME’s Brian Greig said.
“We sense Julie Bishop is more open to this issue than she has suggested.
“She hasn’t responded to surveys about it sent to her office. We are keen to press her: where does she stand?”
Liberal Leader Tony Abbott has said a coalition government could consider a conscience vote on gay marriage.
Ms Bishop said: “I support coalition policy, which is no change to the Marriage Act.
“The coalition can only change policy through the normal party-room processes.
“If the party room resolves after the election to hold a conscience vote, that will be taken to a subsequent election as part of coalition policy.
“Should this issue come before the Parliament in the context of a conscience vote, I will consider the competing arguments at that time.”
Mr Greig said worker mobility was being affected by gay marriages not being recognised in Australia.
“For example, in government Ms Bishop would be working with newly appointed US Ambassador John Berry, an openly gay man who just got legally married in California,” Mr Greig said.
“But he and his partner will be legally separated when he is on Australian soil.”
Author: David Cohen
Publication: Subiaco Post Newspaper
Date: 24 August 2013