Equality advocates have welcomed support for a Coalition conscience vote on marriage equality from several Coalition members including the Deputy Leader of the National Party, Barnaby Joyce.
Senator Joyce, who opposes the reform, told the Sydney Morning Herald:
“If there is a whole Coalition push for a conscience vote there won’t be a problem from us. It is important to give people their say.”
Australian Marriage Equality National Convener, Alex Greenwich, welcomed Senator Joyce’s statement.
“In the current parliament where neither major party has an absolute majority a Coalition conscience vote will give marriage equality a much better chance of succeeding.”
“We know from our lobbying that there are many members of the Coalition who want to vote for full equality.”
A Coalition conscience vote also received backing from Liberals, Senator Simon Birmingham and Russell Broadbent.
Previously, South Australian Liberal leader, Isobel Redmond and NSW Liberal Premier, Barry O’Farrel, have both supported a Coalition conscience vote.
For more information contact Alex Greenwich on 0421 316 335