Equal Love WA has challenged local federal MPs to start listening and show some leadership that ‘reflects the opinions on the ground’ for same-sex marriage.
The call comes after OUTinPerth revealed the majority of federal Members of Parliament in WA had received considerably more feedback from those against same-sex marriage, than those for a change in the law.
Labor Member for Fremantle, Melissa Parke was the only member in WA that confirmed her electorate was in favour of gay marriage and supported it. Ten of WA’s 15 lower house representatives responded to enquiries from OUTinPerth, while 10 of the 12 WA based Senators participated.
Some MPs like the Liberal Member for Tangney Dr Dennis Jensen said he had received over 600 responses against same-sex marriage compared to just three responses in favour. Defence Minister and Labor Member for Perth Stephen Smith had been contacted over 750 times by people opposed to gay marriage compared to just 145 who favoured it.
All federal MPs throughout the country have been seeking the views of their constituents since November last year when a motion to do so was passed by lower house ALP members, independents Rob Oakeshot, Tony Windsor, Andrew Wilkie and Greens’ member Adam Bandt.
The real impact will come to light if and when Greens MP Adam Bandt introduces the Marriage Equality Bill into the lower house. No date has been set for the bill and Greens’ Senator Sarah Hanson-Young has said it would not be reintroduced until both major parties would allow a conscience vote on the issue.
Equal Love WA representative Jess McLeod defended her organisation’s strategy in the same-sex marriage debate and said Equal Love played a different role.
‘While Equal Love does not discourage people from contacting their local MPs, it is not really our message,’ McLeod said.
‘The project of Equal Love is to organise public demonstrations of support for equal marriage rights. These rallies give confidence to the LGBTI community and supporters that we can combat homophobia collectively and it is a strategy to compel politicians to get on the right side of history.’
McLeod also questioned why MPs weren’t taking more notice of nationwide polls that showed consistent majorities in favour of same-sex marriage.
‘Frankly, if the majority of WA’s Federal MPs voted against marriage equality due to receiving more letters against than for, then that would be a very paltry excuse.’
‘Why have they not listened to the thousands who have voiced their opinions on the street?’
‘What about the vast majority who time and time again state their support for equality in the polls?’
‘The blame for opposing marriage equality is always thrown onto ordinary people, but in fact it is the government upholding this homophobic law. It is time that they started listening and showing some leadership that reflects the opinions on the ground.’
Federal Senators from WA were also polled on their electorate’s feedback about the contentious issue which also showed a majority of feedback was in opposition to gay marriage.
Benn Dorrington
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