Advocates for marriage equality have credited the rise of marriage equality supporter Malcolm Turnbull to the position of Prime Minister as a factor in the outcome of the Canning by-election.

WA Convenor for Australian Marriage Equality, Mr Brian Greig, said the issue of marriage equality was one that many people in Canning cared about but they were concerned by Mr Abbott’s staunch opposition to it.

“Polling shows most people in Canning want to see marriage equality become a reality. Many would have been more comfortable voting for the Liberal party with Malcolm Turnbull as Prime Minister, as he is now the nation’s first Prime Minister to support the right of same-sex couples to marry,”

“We urge Mr Turnbull to share his reasons for supporting for marriage equality with Andrew Hastie, and we hope just as Mr Turnbull opened his heart and mind to the reform, Mr Hastie will too”

“We thank the Labor candidate Matt Keogh for his strong supporter of marriage equality, and congratulate him on his swing of nearly 7%” Mr Greig said.

There were 12 candidates in the by-election with nine declaring support for marriage equality and three opposed.

For further comment contact Brian Greig on 0407 776 961.

Author: Brian Greig
Publication: AME Media Release
Date: 20 September 2015