Marriage equality advocates are encouraged by yesterday’s election result, saying support has increased across both major parties.
Australian Marriage Equality national director, Rodney Croome, said,
“Kevin Rudd’s strong support for marriage equality helped ensure Labor’s overall result was not as bad as predicted and saw the election of a swath of pro-equality Labor candidates against the odds.”
“These candidates include people like Graham Perrett and Alannah MacTiernan who defied the swing against Labor and weathered strident anti-gay campaigns in their electorates.
“We have also witnessed the election of more pro-marriage equality Coalition MPs than ever before, with every pro-equality sitting Coalition MPs being re-elected, sometimes despite hateful anti-gay campaigning in their electorate.”
“Marriage equality will be achieved on a conscience vote, not by any one party, so the election of so many pro-equality MPs bodes well for the future.”
While the final make-up of the Senate is yet to be confirmed, Mr Croome said he is hopeful there will be a majority in favour of reform across all parties and said he is pleased no party that campaigned against marriage equality was successful in securing a Senate seat.
“Our priorities now are to bring marriage equality supporters together through a cross-party working group, to work with supporters within the Coalition to map a path to a conscience vote and to lobby newly-elected Coalition members who have yet to declare their personal position.”
For more information contact Rodney Croome on 0409 010 668 or Ivan Hinton on 0419 124 826.
Author: Rodney Croome
Publication: AME Media Release
Date: 8 September 2013