Earlier this year MP Sussan Ley told the ABC program Q&A that she didn’t believe her electorate in rural NSW was ready for marriage equality.
Now the member for Farrar has asked her constituents to let her know where they stand on the topic.
Ley’s inquiry comes after a coordinated effort between local and national advocacy groups to generate discussion on the topic in the town of Albury and surrounding areas.
Australian Marriage Equality worked with local groups Equal Love and Hume Phoenix to offer an information booth in the town’s main street and conduct a series of forums and workshops to generate community discussion.
The campaign highlighted that a recent poll by Crosby | Textor, who are the Liberal Party’s own pollsters, showed that support for marriage equality in the Farrar electorate was actually higher than the national average of 72%.
Hume Phoenix convener, Toni Johnson, said the message from the weekend was about ensuring supporters of marriage equality have their voices heard.
“We collected signed postcards, skilled people to tell their personal story and are generally making sure Sussan Ley knows her electorate is behind marriage equality.”
“It was an empowering weekend for marriage equality supporters and we’re already planning plenty more events.” Johnson said.
The local MP has now told The Border Mail that she wants to hear from constituents on this matter.
Rodney Croome the National Director of Australian Marriage Equality said it was great that Sussan Ley was shifting her response.
The politicians community consultation comes as there is renewed speculation that the Liberal Party will allow it’s members to have a conscience vote on the issue.
Over the weekend Fairfax media reported that an unidentified member of the Abbott government has told them that they believe the party will open to doors to a conscience vote during the next parliamentary sitting.
The suggestion of a change in stance comes as lone Liberal Democrat Senator David Leyonheljm puts forward legislation to allow for same sex marriage in the senate. Deputy Leader of Labor Tanya Plibersek has also announced that she will introduce a private members bill in the lower house.
Both Ms Plibersek and Mr Leyonheljm have declared that they will not introduce their legislation until a conscience vote is permitted among Liberal ranks.
Australian Marriage Equality has launched an online petition asking the Prime Minister Tony Abbott to allow a conscience vote within his party. So far nearly 600 people have signed on.
OIP Staff, Image: Peter Charlesworth
