No mandate for same-sex marriage

For broadcast on 2CH Sydney, 22 Sep 2013.

According to a poll conducted by JWS Research, 13 per cent of voters overall, and just four per cent of Coalition voters, said same-sex marriage was in their top three issues when deciding who to vote for at the federal election on September 7.

Australian Christian Lobby Managing Director Lyle Shelton said the poll confirmed what MPs have been saying for the past three years.

Mr Shelton said, “During the many same-sex marriage debates in the last Parliament MPs consistently said same-sex marriage was simply not a priority for people in their electorates. Despite Kevin Rudd elevating the issue to front and centre of the election campaign, this sentiment has not changed…

“Despite years of high-profile campaigning and the demonising of those speaking up for man-woman marriage, support for changing the Marriage Act appears to be slipping.”

The best way to resolve this divisive issue is by a referendum at the next federal election.

I’m Rod Benson for the NSW Council of Churches.