Why MPs didn’t back same-sex marriage
SENIOR Gold Coast MPs have revealed why they abstained from the historic marriage equality vote despite their electorates overwhelmingly backing the push.
Fadden MP Stuart Robert and Forde’s Bert Van Manen both left the House of Representatives last week before the third reading of the Bill, along with Treasurer Scott Morrison and former prime minister Tony Abbott.
Both LNP members say a lack of protections for religious beliefs and those who hold a traditional view of marriage forced them to pull support for the Bill.
Mr Robert, who this month celebrates his 10th anniversary as an MP, said he could not back the Bill but did not want to stand in its way.
“I told my constituents and was very clear I was voting no but if the electorate voted for it, I would not stand in the way of the Bill,” he said.
“I voted for every single one of the religious amendments because I feel they are necessary and was heavily involved in getting the Ruddock review into religious protections.”
According to the results of the postal survey, 61 per cent of eligible Fadden residents voted in favour of same-sex marriage while 38.2 per cent, or 32,218 people, voted no.
In Forde, which takes in Upper Coomera and Ormeau, the yes vote was 60.5 per cent.
Of the Coast’s remaining MPs, Steven Ciobo, Scott Buchholz, Karen Andrews, Justine Elliott and Senator Murray Watt all voted yes.
The first same-sex marriages will occur on January 9.
Mr Van Manen said his personal convictions meant he was unable to support the Bill.
“Abstaining from the vote was the option I had,” he said.
“I could not in good faith support the final Bill, just as I could not stand in the way of its passage against the will of those I represent.”