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Voters in Nationals electorates oppose same-sex marriage plebiscite, poll finds Voters in Nationals electorates oppose same-sex marriage plebiscite, poll finds
(7 months later)
Staunchly National party-voting regional electorates want Malcolm Turnbull to abandon the idea of a national plebiscite on marriage equality in favour of a parliamentary vote that would quickly resolve the issue, according to a new poll.Staunchly National party-voting regional electorates want Malcolm Turnbull to abandon the idea of a national plebiscite on marriage equality in favour of a parliamentary vote that would quickly resolve the issue, according to a new poll.
The survey aims to increase pressure on the government to ditch the Abbott-era promise to hold a plebiscite after the next election, but did not ask voters in the three electorates polled whether they supported marriage equality.The survey aims to increase pressure on the government to ditch the Abbott-era promise to hold a plebiscite after the next election, but did not ask voters in the three electorates polled whether they supported marriage equality.
Related: Same-sex marriage: Turnbull pushes on with Abbott's plebiscite, and it's still daft
Instead the Reachtel research, commissioned by Australian Marriage Equality (AME), asked voters whether they supported the idea of a plebiscite that cost $158m and would not bind politicians (57.5% said they did not); whether the issue should be resolved through a parliamentary vote without a plebiscite first (56.3% said yes); and whether they wanted to see it resolved sooner rather than later, even if that meant same-sex marriage became legal (61.9% said yes).Instead the Reachtel research, commissioned by Australian Marriage Equality (AME), asked voters whether they supported the idea of a plebiscite that cost $158m and would not bind politicians (57.5% said they did not); whether the issue should be resolved through a parliamentary vote without a plebiscite first (56.3% said yes); and whether they wanted to see it resolved sooner rather than later, even if that meant same-sex marriage became legal (61.9% said yes).
It also asked whether they thought a plebiscite was a good use of taxpayer money (63.5% said it was a poor or very poor use of money).It also asked whether they thought a plebiscite was a good use of taxpayer money (63.5% said it was a poor or very poor use of money).
Voters in the Victorian seat of Gippsland, the NSW seat of New England and the Queensland seat of Capricornia – all held by the Nationals – had not been asked their view on same sex marriage, an AME spokesman said, because there was “already plenty of evidence a majority of Australians support marriage equality”.Voters in the Victorian seat of Gippsland, the NSW seat of New England and the Queensland seat of Capricornia – all held by the Nationals – had not been asked their view on same sex marriage, an AME spokesman said, because there was “already plenty of evidence a majority of Australians support marriage equality”.
The member for Gippsland, Darren Chester, was the first Nationals MP to announce he supported marriage equality, saying last year he had “tested the mood” in his electorate and detected a significant shift over several years.The member for Gippsland, Darren Chester, was the first Nationals MP to announce he supported marriage equality, saying last year he had “tested the mood” in his electorate and detected a significant shift over several years.
The member for New England – and possibly next National party leader – Barnaby Joyce is an opponent and has compared marriage equality with “making a definition into something that it’s not” and passing “a piece of legislation that said that a diamond is a square”.The member for New England – and possibly next National party leader – Barnaby Joyce is an opponent and has compared marriage equality with “making a definition into something that it’s not” and passing “a piece of legislation that said that a diamond is a square”.
The member for Capricornia, Michelle Landry, has not declared a position.The member for Capricornia, Michelle Landry, has not declared a position.
“This poll shows regional and rural Australians want parliament to move on marriage equality soon and for the government to drop its plan for an expensive, divisive, delaying plebiscite,” Croome said.“This poll shows regional and rural Australians want parliament to move on marriage equality soon and for the government to drop its plan for an expensive, divisive, delaying plebiscite,” Croome said.
“The political reason for the plebiscite was to smooth over divisions in the Coalition and take marriage equality off the agenda in the lead-up to the election, but that hasn’t worked. It’s time for Malcolm Turnbull to bring back marriage equality legislation, allow a free vote and get this done straight away so Australia can move on.”“The political reason for the plebiscite was to smooth over divisions in the Coalition and take marriage equality off the agenda in the lead-up to the election, but that hasn’t worked. It’s time for Malcolm Turnbull to bring back marriage equality legislation, allow a free vote and get this done straight away so Australia can move on.”
The point of the plebiscite was called into question last week after senators Eric Abetz and Cory Bernardi, and Nationals MP Bridget McKenzie, confirmed they would vote against marriage equality in parliament even if the national plebiscite supported it.The point of the plebiscite was called into question last week after senators Eric Abetz and Cory Bernardi, and Nationals MP Bridget McKenzie, confirmed they would vote against marriage equality in parliament even if the national plebiscite supported it.
Prime minister Malcolm Turnbull told parliament last October his government would abide by the decision made by the Australian people and anyone arguing otherwise was “not living in the real world”.Prime minister Malcolm Turnbull told parliament last October his government would abide by the decision made by the Australian people and anyone arguing otherwise was “not living in the real world”.
Related: How Britain's same-sex marriage laws awoke South Australia to its own injustices
“When the Australian people make their decision, that decision will stick,” he said. “It will be decisive. It will be respected by this government and by this parliament and this nation.”“When the Australian people make their decision, that decision will stick,” he said. “It will be decisive. It will be respected by this government and by this parliament and this nation.”
Former prime minister Tony Abbott, an opponent of marriage equality, said he would vote in line with the result of a plebiscite.Former prime minister Tony Abbott, an opponent of marriage equality, said he would vote in line with the result of a plebiscite.
Labor leader Bill Shorten has asked Turnbull to drop the idea of a plebiscite.Labor leader Bill Shorten has asked Turnbull to drop the idea of a plebiscite.
The attorney general, George Brandis, is drafting legislation to define the question to be put to a plebiscite after the federal election, the exemptions that would apply to churches and other organisations, and whether voting would be compulsory. It will go to cabinet, and the Coalition party room, next month.The attorney general, George Brandis, is drafting legislation to define the question to be put to a plebiscite after the federal election, the exemptions that would apply to churches and other organisations, and whether voting would be compulsory. It will go to cabinet, and the Coalition party room, next month.
The idea of a plebiscite emerged from a six-hour Coalition party room meeting last October as the Irish referendum vote and the US supreme court decision boosted momentum for a free vote on a cross party bill before the parliament. Turnbull criticised the policy at the time, but agreed to adopt it in a deal with the National party after he became prime minister.The idea of a plebiscite emerged from a six-hour Coalition party room meeting last October as the Irish referendum vote and the US supreme court decision boosted momentum for a free vote on a cross party bill before the parliament. Turnbull criticised the policy at the time, but agreed to adopt it in a deal with the National party after he became prime minister.
The number of MPs and senators who have declared they would vote to support same-sex marriage is slightly less than half in both the House of Representatives and the Senate.The number of MPs and senators who have declared they would vote to support same-sex marriage is slightly less than half in both the House of Representatives and the Senate.
But a confidential list compiled by AME and seen by Guardian Australia, includes six members of the lower house and four senators who AME says have privately indicated they would vote in favour of same-sex marriage.But a confidential list compiled by AME and seen by Guardian Australia, includes six members of the lower house and four senators who AME says have privately indicated they would vote in favour of same-sex marriage.
Guardian Australia has not independently verified the voting intention of these MPs and senators, but if AME’s assessment of their intentions is correct, it would take the number of MPs in favour to 78 – a majority in the 150-strong house of representatives – and the number of senators to 41, a majority of the 76-seat Senate.Guardian Australia has not independently verified the voting intention of these MPs and senators, but if AME’s assessment of their intentions is correct, it would take the number of MPs in favour to 78 – a majority in the 150-strong house of representatives – and the number of senators to 41, a majority of the 76-seat Senate.
AME assesses another eight lower house members and four senators as likely supporters.AME assesses another eight lower house members and four senators as likely supporters.