Liberal MLC backs marriage motion

Northern NSW Liberal Upper House member Scot MacDonald (pictured) has pleged his support for a motion supporting same-sex marriage in state Parliament.

MacDonald, who is based in the same region as federal independent Tony Windsor, told the Armidale Express that the personal stories of parents with gay children convinced him to support reform.

“I did get a representation from parents of gay children and I found that quite compelling,” he said.

“There were stories of bullying and alienation, and I do tend to think, in our society, we need to embrace everybody and we’ll be a better society if we don’t alienate people.”

Marriage equality advocates have welcomed the support.

“Mr MacDonald represents the growing number of Coalition MPs who support marriage equality because they have heard first-hand how exclusion of same-sex couples from marriage hurts the families of gay and lesbian Australians,” Australian Marriage Equality national convenor Alex Greenwich, said.

“[His] support shows marriage equality is just as important to rural and regional communities, and to conservatives, as it is to other Australians.

“As other Coalition MPs follow Mr MacDonald’s lead it will become increasingly difficult for Tony Abbott to refuse to allow a conscience vote on the issue.”

Greenwich also said he hoped MacDonald’s stance would prompt Tony Windsor to reconsider his stated opposition to marriage equality.

“Mr Windsor has a historic opportunity to foster values like inclusion and acceptance in regional Australia by becoming a proponent of marriage equality,” he said.

The NSW Upper House is soon expected to debate a motion in support of marriage equality put forward by Greens MLC Cate Faehrmann.

The motion will not change the law but will send a message in support for the issue to federal MPs.

NSW premier Barry O’Farrell and NSW Nationals leader Andrew Stoner have allowed all state Coalition MPs a free vote on the issue, as has South Australian state Coalition leader Isobel Redmond.