Wyatt Roy announces equal marriage support

Australia’s youngest Parliamentarian has joined the growing ranks of Coalition MPs to come out in support of marriage equality.

Speaking to the media earlier today, 23-year old Queensland MP Wyatt Roy said he supported same-sex marriage and a free vote in the Coalition party room on the issue.

“I support the right of same-sex couples to have their loving and committed relationships recognised in state-sanctioned marriage,” Roy said.

Australians for Marriage Equality spokesman Rodney Croome welcomed Roy’s announcement, saying it was indicative of growing support among Australians nationwide.

“Wyatt Roy is representative of the strong support for marriage equality among young Australians, as well as the next generation of Liberals,” Croome said.

Roy holds the federal seat of Longman, a regional seat north of Brisbane that encompasses much of the Moreton Bay area. He added that he would “remain vigilant” to the views of his constituents.

Roy’s announcement came only a day after shadow treasurer Joe Hockey announced his opposition to same-sex marriage, and nearly a week after former prime minister and fellow Queensland MP Kevin Rudd publicly reversed his longstanding opposition to marriage equality on Monday.

Roy was elected in 2010 at the age of 20, becoming the youngest federal parliamentarian in Australian history.