Coalition allowed conscience vote on relationships register. The NSW opposition has granted its members a conscience vote on the relationships register legislation – which is still being drafted by the government – but has drawn criticism from an openly-gay member of the legislative council.

Labor MLC Penny Sharpe said the Coalition’s conscience vote decision was disappointing and that it exposed the “hard right” religious elements within the party which continue to campaign against same-sex couples.

“The hard right of the Liberal Party are so opposed to gay couples in NSW that they could not bring themselves to support this very straightforward piece of legislation,” Sharpe said in a statement.

“Leader of the opposition Barry O’Farrell should have stood up to the hard right and put the Coalition’s full support behind this legislation,” she said.

NSW Opposition Leader Barry O’Farrell told SX conscience votes were Liberal party tradition that are “seen as a strength that reflect the different opinions that exist in the community on these issues”.

Full Story at SX : http://sxnews.gaynewsnetwork.com.au