Families fight for marriage

Families fight for marriage

A new TV advert that airs from today will call on Opposition Leader Tony Abbott to allow Coalition MPs the right to vote as individuals on the issue of marriage equality.

Shelley Argent, national spokeswoman for Parents and Friends of Lesbian and Gays (PFLAG) said if Abbott wants to govern the country, he should work in the best interest of all Australians.

“A Galaxy poll taken last year shows that 76 percent of Coalition voters agree there should be a conscience vote and 90 percent of young voters also agree,” Argent said.

“Previous Galaxy polls show that the majority of Australians are also in favour of equality.

“Personally, Mr Abbott may not agree with equality for his own reasons, but he is falling out of step with the majority of Australians.”

In December, the Labor Party allowed its federal MPs a conscience vote on the issue of marriage equality but Abbott has so far refused Coalition MPs the same freedom.

Argent said she didn’t necessarily believe a true conscience vote would be an automatic win for the cause, but said it would be fair and right.

“This is a country where we all have only one vote each, why does Mr Abbott think he has the right to the votes of half the federal MPs?” she said.

“He knows and we know that many are in favour of marriage equality and this is what he fears.”

The advert features real Australian families, including parents and grandparents of gay and lesbian Australians, calling on Abbott to allow a conscience vote. It will air across Australia from today.

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