The following media release was issued by the Tasmanian Gay & Lesbian Rights Group (TGLRG) on 10.08.12.
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POLL SHOW MAJORITY OF TASMANIANS SUPPORT MARRIAGE EQUALITY AND WANT THEIR STATE TO LEAD THE WAY / HIGH YOUTH SUPPORT SHOWS REFORM WILL BE “DEFINING MOMENT FOR AN ENTIRE GENERATION” / LARA GIDDINGS TO ADDRESS RALLY IN HOBART ON SAT 11 AUG
A new poll released today shows a majority of Tasmanians believe same-sex couples should be able to marry, and a majority support Tasmania being the first state to enact the reform.
The poll of 1000 people conducted by EMRS Research and commissioned by Australian Marriage Equality was almost entirely completed before Premier Lara Giddings made her announcement that Tasmania will be the first place in Tasmania to allow same-sex couples to wed*.
Tasmanian Gay and Lesbian Rights Group spokesperson, Rodney Croome, said,
“These results vindicate Lara Gidding’s decision to move ahead on marriage equality.”
“Tasmanians can see that we have nothing to lose and everything to gain from this landmark reform.”
The poll found that 61% of Tasmanians believe same-sex couples should be allowed to marry (up from 59% in September last year), while 54% believe the state should go ahead with its own marriage equality laws.
There was majority support for marriage equality in each region of the state, with strong support among young people aged 18-34 (85%) women (68%) and people raising children (72%).
Young people also strongly support Tasmanian-specific marriage equality laws with 78% of those aged 18-34 saying they want Tasmania to be the first state to act.
“High youth support for Tasmania leading the way on marriage equality shows that this reform will be a defining moment for an entire generation of Tasmanians”, Mr Croome said.
Support was very high among Green and Labor voters (88% and 74%) but divided among Liberal voters (43% in favour vs 49% against with 9% unsure).
Mr Croome said the key result for the political parties to consider is that a majority of undecided voters – who make up a decisive 25% of the electorate according to an EMRS poll released yesterday – support marriage equality (59%) and support Tasmania taking the lead (52%).
“What this poll shows is that Labor’s support for marriage equality will help them attract the undecided voters they need to stay in power.”
“By the same token, one of the best ways for the Liberals to attract the undecided voters they need to win government is to soften their hard line against reform and grant of a conscience vote.”
“This is consistent with a national Galaxy poll released on Monday which shows that there is a net gain of voters for the federal Liberal Party if it allows a conscience vote on marriage equality.”
The full report can be found here.
*According to EMRS, 85% of the responses were collected before the announcement. The remaining 15% of responses had no discernible impact on the result.
LARA GIDDINGS TO SPEAK AT MARRIAGE EQUALITY RALLY
TOP TASSIE SINGER TO PERFORM “AUSTRALIA’S NEWEST WEDDING SONG”
Supporters of marriage equality will have a chance to show their support for reform at a rally outside Parliament House in Hobart on Saturday 11th August at 1pm.
Tasmanian Premier, Lara Giddings, will address the rally, becoming the first Australian state premier ever to do so.
The rally will also hear from renowned Tasmanian Indigenous singer song-writer, Dewayne Everett-Smith, who will perform his hit single and Australia’s newest wedding song “It’s Like Love”.
Tasmanian Gay and Lesbian Rights Group spokesperson, Rodney Croome, said,
“Many Tasmanians are proud our state is leading the way on marriage equality and this is an opportunity for all of us to show our support.”
“Like all those people who have been inspired by the Premier’s support for marriage equality I am very excited she has agreed to speak.”
There will be a range of other speakers supporting marriage equality including Greens’ leader Nick McKim, columnist, popular newspaper columnist, Rebecca Fitzgibbon, and Els McIntosh the mother of a gay son.
For more information contact Rodney Croome on 0409 010 668