LATEST POLL REVEALS MAJORITY OF AUSTRALIANS WANT PARLIAMENT TO DELIVER MARRIAGE EQUALITY
- 53% of Australians want the parliament to resolve the issue if the proposed plebiscite bill fails
- More than two thirds (68%) of Australians don’t support public funding for plebiscite campaigns
Australian Marriage Equality (AME) today welcomed the latest Essential Poll that reaffirmed that Australians overwhelmingly support Marriage Equality in their country and want it to be resolved by the parliament.
Australian Marriage Equality Co-Chair, Alex Greenwich said, “AME believe this is an issue that can be resolved by the parliament, and this poll confirms that Australian people believe this also.
“The proposed plebiscite is deeply unfair, overly complicated and totally unnecessary,” Mr Greenwich added.
“This Poll revealed that almost half of Australian people are concerned about the possibly of a public campaign that has a negative impact on LGBTI Australians, their families and friends.
“No Australian should have to have to sit through a national debate about their worth and the value of their relationships.
“Australian Marriage Equality is concerned that the proposed plebiscite has no strategy to support LGBTI people through a plebiscite campaign, particularly young people or marginalised members of the community.” Mr Greenwich said.
The poll also revealed that Australians disapprove of the planned $7.5 million to be provided for advertising both the Yes and No campaigns with 68% of the nation unsupportive of this additional funding.
“The public funding provisions in the proposed plebiscite legislation would allow tax payers funds to be used to attack other Australians with fear campaigns, and its is totally unnecessary for achieving a reform that the parliament could deliver now,” Mr Greenwich said.
The Essential Poll revealed that if the plebiscite is defeated in the Senate, more than half the nation (53 %) of respondents would like a free vote in parliament on same-sex marriage to be held.
“AME continue to urge all political parties not to proceed with this complex and unfair process, and instead should work towards a multi-partisan parliamentary vote,” Mr Greenwich said.
“The people of Australia don’t want marriage equality to remain a political football for the next three years or more – they want to get this done,” Mr Greenwich said.
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