Marriage equality advocates have welcomed a commitment from Melbourne-based Labor MP, Michael Danby, to vote for marriage equality.
Mr Danby has previously said that while he supports marriage equality in principle he won’t vote for the reform until the Coalition follows Labor and allows a conscience vote.
Australian Marriage Equality national director, Rodney Croome, said,
“We congratulate Mr Danby for making a clear commitment to voting for marriage equality, and urge other Labor members who have yet to vote for this reform to make a similar commitment.”
“The message Mr Danby’s change of heart sends to other MPs is that support for marriage equality is not enough unless it is backed up with the willingness to vote for reform.”
Tony Pitman, spokesperson for lobby group, Melbourne Ports for Marriage Equality, said lobbying by voters made the difference.
“Gay and straight supporters of marriage equality in Melbourne Ports have made a compelling case to Mr Danby for the importance of this reform and I am pleased they have been heard.”
This morning on Melbourne radio station Joy Melbourne, Mr Danby said growing support for marriage equality in the Coalition makes it clear that when a cross-party conscience vote occurs it has a good chance of success.
“When it (marriage equality) comes up next time it will be closer and my vote may make the difference”, he said.
Mr Danby also said he was “very annoyed” by recent comments from the Australian Christian Lobby comparing children raised by same-sex couples to the Stolen Generation.
Mr Danby’s Liberal challenger in Melbourne Ports is openly-gay candidate Kevin Eckendahl who is also a supporter of marriage equality and has promised to “always vote for reform”.
Melbourne Greens MP, Adam Bandt, has proposed a vote on his marriage equality bill on June 6th.
For more information contact Rodney Croome on 0409 010 668 or Tony Pitman on 0431 150 788