QUEENSLAND federal MPs have overwhelmingly voiced their opposition to same-sex marriage, buoying conservative Christian lobbyists ahead of today’s discussion of the issue in the House of Representatives.
But marriage equality campaigners say they are undeterred because some major party MPs support change but are not yet ready to say so publicly.
On the eve of today’s parliamentary gay marriage discussion, brisbanetimes.com.au asked each of Queensland’s 30 federal members about their position.
Of the 17 MPs who replied, 10 stated their clear opposition to same-sex marriage, three did not outline their personal views and three refused to comment.
The remaining member, Labor’s Moreton MP Graham Perrett, who has two gay brothers and has previously voiced support for same-sex marriage, was far from emphatic in his comments.
“As I have stated publicly before, I believe the state should protect all committed, monogamous relationships,” he said.
“Whether there is mood for change in the community is another matter as I suspect most people are more concerned with cost of living pressures, quality health care for their families and a strong national economy.”
The comments follow intense lobbying by both supporters and opponents of same-sex marriage, as momentum gathers within the Labor party for MPs to be allowed at least an open vote on the issue.
MPs from across the political spectrum will today be given time in the House of Representatives to report on the views of their electorates on gay marriage.
The discussion follows last year’s motion by Greens MP Adam Bandt urging colleagues to consult their communities on the issue, amid opinion polls showing majority public support for marriage equality.
The brisbanetimes.com.au survey revealed few Queensland MPs from either the Labor or Liberal National parties were prepared to buck their respective party’s anti-gay-marriage stance.
Both major parties oppose same-sex marriage but the Labor party is set to debate it at its national conference in December amid a growing push from within the party to support it.
Queensland Premier Anna Bligh last year revealed to brisbanetimes.com.au she supported same-sex marriage and the state branch this year voted to give in-principle backing to the concept.
The LNP state conference voted against same-sex marriage last month but state leader Campbell Newman has voiced his personal support.
Many of the MPs who ignored the questions from brisbanetimes.com.au have previously put their opposition to gay marriage on the public record.
Member for Kennedy Bob Katter, who told an anti-gay-marriage rally in Canberra last week the idea should be ridiculed, has gone quiet following the event with a spokeswoman saying he would not be commenting further on the matter.
Openly gay Mount Isa resident James Newburrie has launched an equal love campaign page on Facebook asking people to show their support for same sex marriage in an attempt to change Mr Katter’s opinion on the issue.
Mr Newburrie is seeking 32,001 signatures in support of gay marriage, outdoing a list of signatures opposing gay marrige from Family Voice Australia which Mr Katter accepted this month.
At time of print yesterday The Equal Love Campaign Facebook site had attracted 1950 followers.
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