Coast duo still not sure how they will vote
TWO Gold Coast MPs are yet to decide whether they will vote to support the marriage equality Bill despite their constituencies giving overwhelming backing to the yes campaign.
Fadden MP Stuart Robert and Forde’s Bert Van Manen say they will both hold off on making a decision until they see how religious beliefs will be protected in changes to the Marriage Act.
Debate will begin in the Senate today on a cross-party bill developed by Senator Dean Smith before it goes before the House of Representatives when it resumes sitting on November 27.
Nearly 62 per cent of Mr Robert’s northern Gold Coast electorate voted in favour of same-sex marriage and the long-serving MP said he was prepared to work hard to ensure the bill would pass the parliament by early December.
“The task now for me and other Christian conservatives is that the nation has spoken but we must ensure protections for churches and Christian schools so they can teach according to their faith values,” he said.
“We will spend our time working on this and have a sensible debate – there is a great deal of good will and I am confident we will get protections in place.
“I will wait to see what these final protections are before I decide to cast my vote.”
The result in Mr Van Manen’s electorate – which takes in the northern tip of the Coast – was similar to the national average, with 60.5 per cent backing marriage equality.
He said protections for those with religious beliefs would be essential to gain his support.
“I will honour the results of the Australian people, however I do want to see appropriate protections for those with religious convictions and traditional views,” the third-term MP said.
“I am to be convinced Senator Smith’s Bill covers this adequately and through the parliamentary process we will come up with something that ensures this.”
Richmond, which takes in Tweed Heads and much of the Northern Rivers, delivered the strongest support, while Wright, which takes in the Hinterland, Beaudesert and much of Lockyer Valley, recorded the lowest support at 56.8 per cent.
In a statement to the Bulletin, Wright MP Scott Buchholz confirmed he would vote yes despite his personal beliefs.
“My first responsibility is to represent the people of Wright and to take their views to the House of Representatives,” he said.
“I am bound to set aside my personal beliefs on this issue and vote in favour of same-sex marriage. That is democracy in action.”
Moncrieff MP Steven Ciobo, McPherson MP Karen Andrews and Richmond’s Justine Elliot all confirmed they would vote yes when the Bill goes before the House for a vote next month.
Southport-based Labor Senator Murray Watt will be the only Gold Coaster in the room when debate of the Bill begins today and said he was ready to vote in favour.
“In every Gold Coast Federal electorate, more than 60 per cent of people have voted for marriage equality,” he said.
“This is an overwhelming result and shows our city, as a whole, supports equality, fairness and love for all.
“Gold Coasters have sent a clear message to our Federal MPs – we want marriage equality, and we want it now.”