Marles: Poll is wrong, but I’ll still vote ‘yes’
CORIO MP Richard Marles has revealed he will vote “yes” in the same sex marriage plebiscite for the sake of his gay brother-inlaw.
As postal survey letters arrive in mailboxes throughout the region, Mr Marles explained to the Advertiser why he would vote “yes”.
“It’s easy to lose sight of the fact that the equal marriage debate we’re having in Australia is about real people,” Mr Marles said.
“Jason Schutze, my brother in law, has a son called Max. Max is seven years old.
“Jason, his partner Wayne, and Brendan, Jason’s former partner, are all involved in Max’s life. They are all gay, but more importantly they are exceptional fathers to Max.”
Mr Marles said he did not support the $122 million postal survey — “I wouldn’t have supported it if it was a $1 survey” — amid concerns the public debate of the issue would be harmful to the LGBTIQ community.
“Every time I see an argument against equal marriage, I try and imagine someone making that case to Jason’s face, because that’s how he experiences them,” he said.
“If an argument is too painful or rude to make to someone’s face, it tells you something about that argument.
“The coming weeks will be challenging for all of us.
“At times it will be very tough for my brother in law and his family, but my family and I have got his back, and we’ll support him no matter what.”
Mr Marles said he would be voting yes for Jason.
Corangamite federal Liberal MP Sarah Henderson also confirmed she would be voting ‘yes’.
“I will be voting yes in the postal plebiscite,” Ms Henderson said yesterday.
“I am very pleased that all Australians are being given the chance to have his or her say.
“On such a deeply personal issue, I believe this is very important.”