LABOR MP "OUT OF TOUCH" ON MARRIAGE EQUALITY WITH PARTY AND ELECTORATE

Marriage Equality Advocates have rejected the claims made by Senior Labor Backbencher, John Murphy, where he has called on those who support marriage equality within the ALP to "join the Greens", that a referendum be called on the matter, and that his electorate doesn't support legal equality for same-sex couples. See article here. Australian Marriage Equality National Convener, Alex Greenwich, "Mr Murphy should open his heart and his mind to the high level of support within the rank and file of the Labor Party for marriage equality"

"He should  acknowledge the reason why this issue is so important to so many within his party, with a clear majority wanting the ALP to get back to it’s roots of fairness, equality, and valuing human rights"

Mr Greenwich pointed to Galaxy polling that suggests 74% of ALP voters support reform, the fact that a majority of Labor's State Leaders have said "I do" to marriage equality, and the charge lead by Labor's grassroots to pass motions of support for equality at most State Conferences, where many parents spoke about the importance of their gay and lesbian children being treated equally.

With references to the calls for a referendum on the issue, Mr Greenwich said "Based on the results of all the many polls on the issue we believe a referendum would return a resounding "yes" for marriage equality"

"But why single out this issue for a referendum? It involves a simple amendment to the Marriage Act that will benefit many people and hurt no-one. We elect politicians to make these decisions not handball them back to the voters."

Mr Greenwich also believed that Mr Murphy had ignored the quantity and quality of support for marriage equality in is own electorate "The most conservative polling in his seat of Reid (NSW) still shows most favour equality with 42% supporting equality, 22% not caring either way, and 36% opposing (details here). The recent Galaxy polling in NSW showed 60% support for equality"

Mr Greenwich said he knew of many parents, doctors, and people of faith who have tried to contact Mr Murphy to show their support.

"The seat of Reid, like The ALP, has started the conversation on marriage equality, to dismiss the matter in the way Mr Murphy has is hurtful to the rank and file of the Labor Party and his electorate"