Greens deputy leader Adam Bandt has accused Labor of being “divided” on gay marriage, as his party and the ALP fight for progressive voters on the signature issue in his marginal seat of Melbourne.
Kevin Rudd’s pledge to deliver marriage equality in his first 100 days as a returned prime minister is aimed at winning a handful of inner-city seats, which insiders say is already hurting the Greens and the Liberal Party.
Mr Bandt believed voters were smart enough to know the Greens had shown leadership on the issue.
“It is good that the PM has caught up with the Greens and come out in support of marriage equality,” he said.
“I have always said that love will find a way and now we’re a step closer. Without people like the Greens in parliament pushing the issue, we never would have got this far.
“People in Melbourne are a pretty savvy bunch and know that unlike the Greens, who helped put the issue on the national agenda, Labor is very divided on marriage equality.”
Mr Bandt said while Labor might think the move would swing voters, other issues were hurting its chances of re-election.
“Marriage equality will be an issue for voters in Melbourne, but so will cuts to clean energy and universities, Labor’s shocking refugee policy and a sustainable economy after the mining boom,” he said.
As well as getting Cath Bowtell up in Melbourne, Labor believes the shift on gay marriage could deliver it Brisbane, held by Liberal Teresa Gambaro, and retain Perth, contested by Labor’s Alannah MacTiernan, and could ultimately return Mr Rudd to The Lodge.
Ms Gambaro yesterday said she was telling voters she would push for a conscience vote and downplayed the impact Mr Rudd’s intervention on gay marriage was having.
“I have been greatly moved by some of the personal insights that people in this situation have shared with me and understand that their desire for a traditional marriage to the person they love is genuine and heartfelt,” she said.
“But as I move about the electorate, people in Brisbane are telling me that their main concerns relate to the state of the economy, worries about the high unemployment rate and getting a job, as well as the need to reduce cost of living pressures.”
Already Mr Rudd’s stance is having an impact in the seat of Melbourne.
Fitzroy’s Tamzen Hayes, 22, voted Labor at the last election and had been leaning towards the Greens this time, but Mr Rudd’s about-face on gay marriage had encouraged her to stick with Labor.
“It’s such a big issue at the moment. I really believe it’s a right. Labor and Liberal are so similar at the moment and this is something that separates them,” she said.
Her housemate Charmion Whyte, who will vote for the first time, still hadn’t decided who she would support, but gay marriage would be integral to that decision.
“It will definitely be a decider for me,” she said.
Australian Marriage Equality national director Rodney Croome said Mr Rudd’s support for gay marriage had appeal in inner-city seats where there were high numbers of young voters who wanted action on the issue.
These seats included Brisbane, Perth and Melbourne, as well as Deputy Prime Minister Anthony Albanese’s seat of Grayndler.
“Kevin Rudd’s stance puts pressure on Tony Abbott to allow a conscience vote on marriage equality in order to boost the Liberal brand in inner-city seats, and is a prompt to the Greens to keep voters informed of their strong credentials on this issue,” he said.
Newspoll chief executive Martin O’Shannessy said Mr Rudd was more likely to gather votes rather than lose them by taking this position.
“We know that Labor frequently disappoints the rusted on and faithful because they know they are not going to change their vote. I think it’s only a small risk,” he said.
Author: Patricia Karvelas
Publication: The Australian
Date: 14 August 2013