The majority of MPs who reported their electorates’ views on same-sex marriage today were against changing the law. However, the results appear haphazard with no clear patterns forming along party lines or geographical regions. Several politicians voiced support for civil partnerships and lobbyists on both sides of the debate were criticised.
The Green’s Adam Bandt, member for Melbourne, whose motion compelled parliamentarians to seek feedback from their electorates on the controversial issue, reporting that in his electorate almost all of the feedback received supported same sex marriage.
Liberal members Luke Simpkins (WA), Peter Dutton, Scott Morrison and Josh Frydenberg reported that the response from their electorates was overwhelmingly for the retention of the current definition of marriage. Nationals MP George Christensen, Stuart Robert, Paul Neville and Tony Crook (WA) also reported similar findings.
Labor’s Deb O’Neil found the majority of her NSW electorate of Robertson where not in favour of same sex marriage. O’Neil’s labour colleagues Chris Hayes also from New South Wales and Queenslander Shane Neuman reported no support for change.
Liberal member Malcolm Turnbull reported that in his Sydney seat of Wentworth the support for same sex marriage was 72 percent. Representing the Newcastle area ALP member Sharon Grierson also reported over 70 percent of respondents were in favour of change.
Labor member for Jill Hall for Shortland in New South Wales also found support for change. Labor’s Anthony Albanese also restated his support for same sex marriage and noted that ‘change is difficult’.
Independent MP Rob Oakeshott found in his electorate of Lyne opinion on the subject was split fairly evenly, in the seat of Ballarat Labor’s Catherine King and Graham Perrett had a similar result.
Liberal MP Bruce Bilson said that while constituents in his electorate of Dunkey were not supportive of same sex marriage he was in favour of civil unions. Bilson noted that name civil unions didn’t exactly have a romantic sound and proposed the title Lifelong Committed Partnerships as an alternative title.
Several MP’s voiced support for civil unions including Labor’s Mike Symon and Liberal members Scott Morrison, Alex Hawke and Kelly O’Dwyer.
Liberal MP Paul Fletcher who represents the NSW inner metropolitan seat of Bradfield noted that as a member of parliament he did not need a motion from the Greens member to seek feedback from his electorate rather that this process was an innate part of politician’s responsibility. Fletcher’s sentiment was repeated by several National and Liberal party members as they gave their feedback.
The most passionate rejection of the process of gaining feedback came from Liberal MP Alby Shultz representing the Victorian seat of Hume. Shultz said he was ‘deeply offended by the Member for Melbourne telling him how to do his job’ and that this process was to ‘Indulge the fantasy of the inner city elites.’ Shultz went on to describe same sex marriage as ‘neo-Trotsky social engineering projects.’
Fletcher reported that in his electorate of Bradfield there was slightly more opposition than support, while Shultz reported that he had 46 verifiable constituents contact him in support, and 636 verifiable to see the Howard government’s definition to remain in place unaltered.
Politicians also took time in their reports to criticise each other and lobbyists from both sides of the debate.
Labor’s Deb O’Neil highlighted that her opposition to same sex marriage had seen her labelled homophobic in emails and telephone calls, while Labor colleague John Murphy said, ‘People asking for and needing community tolerance would show tolerance themselves.’ Murphy said opponents were quick to label anyone who disagreed as a bigot.
The National’s Mike Coulton was also outspoken saying that while he believed that marriage should be between a man and a woman, he had been offended by some of the claims made by conservatives during the debate. Independent MP Rob Oakeshott also raised concern regarding personal attacks on gay Labor MP Penny Wong and described the attendance of members of parliament at last weeks marriage rally as ‘appalling’.
Australian Marriage Equality spokesman Peter Furness said in a statement this afternoon that while the results of the MP’s consultation were mixed many polls have shown that the majority of Australians support marriage equality.
The Australian Christian Lobby has welcomed the results. Managing Director Jim Wallace said ‘The numbers in support of the traditional definition of marriage were overwhelming.’
Image: Member for Melbourne Adam Bandt, Greens
Graeme Watson
