IT’S people not polls that count for Farrer MP Sussan Ley who says she wants to hear directly from her constituents on the subject of same-sex marriage.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Ms Ley said while the results of a recent poll indicated 86 per cent of Farrer residents supported same-sex marriage, she preferred to hear from people on the subject and would welcome any contact.
And that’s lucky for the federal member — she’s about to receive an influx of postcards signed by Albury residents stating their support for a change in legislation.
Australian Marriage Equality national director Rodney Croome and deputy director Ivan Hinton-Teoh were in town at the weekend hosting a meet-and-greet at QEII Square, alongside gay-and-lesbian support group Hume Phoenix, where passers-by were asked to sign the postcards that will be sent directly to Ms Ley’s office.
It was the latest stop on the campaign’s national tour of 40 key electorates — all Liberal-held — including Farrer.
Australian Marriage Equality commissioned a poll from pollsters Crosby Textor — which is used by the Liberal Party for most of its own polling — the results of which showed 72 per cent of Australians supported the movement, while 14 per cent had “strong disagreement”.
In Farrer specifically, 86 per cent of people indicated “strong support”.
Mr Croome said the focus on Farrer followed Ms Ley’s appearance on Q&A earlier this year, when she said her constituents “weren’t ready” for gay marriage.
“But Farrer showed support above the national average, which I think sends a strong message to (Ms) Ley that if she supported marriage equality she would be representing the majority of her electorate,” he said.
“I think the stereotype that rural and regional Australia don’t understand same-sex relationships is wrong.”
Ms Ley was presented the poll finding in a meeting with Hume Phoenix a week ago, but said yesterday she “didn’t look at it in detail”.
“I’m happy to consider whatever people want to put forward but I really want to hear from people and talk to individuals,” she said.
“I’m not saying the poll is right or wrong — I’m a politician, so I’m surrounded by polls all the time — but I try to get to the heart of the issues without polls.
“I think the best information I can get is by talking to people ... I’d rather have people talking to me than sit in my office looking at a piece of paper with numbers on it.”
Mr Croome said he too would encourage anyone who supported a change in legislation to write in or see Ms Ley.
“The polls show not only is support increasing overall, but that support is becoming stronger,” he said.
“This issue will be decided on with a conscience vote and when that happens each MP will count.”
Ms Ley has previously stated she would be unlikely to support a change in legislation.
Asked yesterday if the current results changed her mind, she said: “If something (legisaltion) gets presented to us, I’ll consider it then and take the next step when the time comes.”
Hume Phoenix convenor Toni Johnson said the postcards were being distributed by the group.