Advocates have hailed a substantial jump in public support for marriage equality saying it shows Australians strongly back the reform and are increasingly impatient to see it achieved.
An Essential Poll released today found a 5% increase in support from late 2015.
Australian Marriage Equality national director, Rodney Croome, said,
“The more marriage equality is debated the more Australians see it as an issue of love, commitment and fairness, and the more support grows.”
“I attribute the increase in support to everyday conversations about why marriage equality matters, as well as growing impatience with Parliament’s do-nothing approach to the issue.”
In October 2015, Essential polling showed support for marriage equality at 59% and in August, 60%.
Essential polls have traditionally shown lower results than Newspoll, Ipsos, Galaxy or Crosby/Textor polling which have support at about or above 70%.
The Essential Poll showed continued public support for a public vote on marriage equality.
Mr Croome said research has shown that when the public is informed about the cost of a public vote support falls dramatically.
“The Essential Poll was done before respected accounting firm, PricewaterhouseCoopers, showed a plebiscite will cost the economy over half a billion dollars.”
“As that information gets out, support for a plebiscite will drop substantially, as will support for policy-makers who cling to the idea.”
For a copy of today’s poll results, and previous results, click here
For more information contact Rodney Croome on 0409 010 668.
Author: Rodney Croome
Publication: AME Media Release
Date: 15 March 2016