A Gippsland federal member of parliament, criticised by the gay and lesbian community for his views on same sex marriage, has softened his stance on the issue.
Nationals Member for Gippsland Darren Chester publicly shifted his stance in the wake of a Labor election commitment to introduce a same sex marriage bill to parliament within its first 100 days in office.
Previously on the record as saying marriage was between a man and a woman and Gippslanders were concerned with issues of “more substance” like electricity prices, Mr Chester’s views have drawn strong disapproval from the local gay and lesbian community.
But in an interview with The Express this week, he indicated a shift to the centre.
“If I was forced to vote on the issue tomorrow, I would have a sleepless night because I recognise the mood in Gippsland is changing and I’m not sure how I would vote,” Mr Chester said.
“When I talk to young people, overwhelmingly they are in favour of same sex marriage and don’t know what all the fuss is about.”
Mr Chester said while he supported a conscience vote on same sex marriage, he personally believed a referendum was the best way to “resolve the matter once and for all”.
“My personal view is that the Australian people should have their say in a referendum and the issue has become so divisive that MPs have been placed in the unenviable position of trying to gauge their community’s view and balance that with their own personal view,” he said.
Mr Chester revealed the results of his June survey of Gippsland households which included a question on gay marriage.
Two thousand four hundred people returned the survey, of which 60 per cent said they were opposed to same sex marriage, four per cent less than a 2011 survey which drew 700 respondents.
The figure remained the same for those in favour, with 26 per cent of respondents in both surveys indicating they supported gay marriage.
Fourteen per cent said they were unsure as compared with 10 per cent in 2011.
“The raw numbers don’t surprise me,” Mr Chester said.
“When I travel around the electorate, I think there’s a significant majority in Gippsland who are opposed to same sex marriage. But it has to be acknowledged that amongst younger voters, the issue is trending the other direction.”
Gay rights group the Gippsland Rainbow Collective labelled Mr Chester’s fresh stance as “fence-sitting”.
“We have a growing voice now in Gippsland and I think he’s starting to hear it,” secretary Jo Parker said.
“I think he knows there’s votes at stake and he’s hedging his bets.”
Ms Parker slammed Mr Chester’s suggestion of a referendum.
“It’s asking our neighbours to make a decision on who we have the right to love,” she said.
“He has a duty of care to look after the minorities as well. That’s what government and democracy is about, not just about the majority and what the majority necessarily thinks.”
Prime Minister Kevin Rudd pledged during Sunday night’s leader debate that if re-elected he would introduce a bill on gay marriage within 100 days, saying his party would be allowed a conscience vote.
Opposition leader Tony Abbott has not committed to a conscience vote.
The Express asked other federal election candidates for the seats of Gippsland and McMillan about their views on gay marriage:
Gippsland
Scott Campbell-Smith THE GREENS
Our position on this is clear and strong. I’ve discussed this with a few people in Gippsland and their position was just as clear and just as strong: they want equality, they want to be able to marry the people they’re in love with and committed to for life. I have no problem standing on the side of equality, love and commitment.
The Australian Greens have called for a marriage equality bill jointly sponsored by Labor, the Liberals and the Greens by Valentine’s Day 2014.
Peter Gardner INDEPENDENT (CLIMATE EMERGENCY)
Climate change dwarfs all other political issues and as such that and partial solutions like renewable energy occupy most of my time. If elected, climate change and its mitigation and adaptation would be my main priority. Secondly as an Independent I would do my best to cater for the electors of Gippsland. In the instance of the small number of issues not connected in some way with climate change or Gippsland I would either vote with the status quo or abstain. On the question of same sex marriage I would abstain.
Jeff McNeill AUSTRALIAN LABOR PARTY
I agree with having a conscience vote on same sex marriage and I agree with voting to support it. I have not heard any convincing argument to influence me doing anything other than voting yes should I have the opportunity. A yes to gay marriage ends division on this matter, and society will move on.
McMillan
John Parker INDEPENDENT
I’m certainly in support of same sex marriage. I think it should be put before the parliament as soon as possible and all parliamentarians should be at liberty to have a vote on it. Then we know where each of them stand, rather than hide behind a party platform. The majority of people agree it should be through now. It’s something that should have been done years ago. I thought we would have finished this debate in the 1980s.
Anthony Naus AUSTRALIAN LABOR PARTY
I strongly support same sex marriage. As a 21st century democracy it’s time we have full equality in the marriage act. As a person born into a Catholic family, I respect religious institutions not marrying a couple if it goes against their beliefs but I am against the secular state enforcing a set of one group’s religious beliefs on another group. The Labor Party has supported a conscience vote in parliament with Labor members able to decide for themselves what side they fall on. However the opposition have not allowed their members to have a conscience vote. Under Labor this issue will be dealt with in the first 100 days of a re-elected Labor Government.
Ben Staggard AUSTRALIAN SEX PARTY
As a candidate for the Australian Sex Party I certainly do support same sex marriage. LGBTQ equality and inclusion is something that the party feels very strongly about. Acknowledging and legitimising same sex marriage in Australia is one of our main points of discussion and I hope that Kevin Rudd stands by his word to legalise same sex marriage within the first 100 days of next term if he is successful in his campaign for Prime Minister.
David Amor KATTER’S AUSTRALIA PARTY
Marriage is between a man and a woman. There are much bigger issues at hand for the whole of Australians at this 2013 election.
Matthew Sherry PALMER UNITED PARTY
Social issues such as same-sex marriage will come down to a conscience vote from candidates. The Liberal and Labor parties are dogmatic on their position on social issues such as same-sex marriage and force their candidates and MPs to toe the party line. The Palmer United Party believes issues such as same-sex marriage, the abortion debate and euthanasia should all come down to the candidates’ individual position on the issue. The Palmer United Party is committed to offering a voice to all Australians, which is why we promote the individual rights of everyone.
Russell Broadbent LIBERAL PARTY
Mr Broadbent has long expressed his opposition to gay marriage and chose not to comment further.
Dr Malcolm McKelvie THE GREENS
The Greens’ policy on this is to support the change in legislation to allow same sex marriage- which I support. Tradition is not a good reason to continue discrimination against same sex attracted people. It’s time the legislation changed for the equality of all our citizens regardless of their sexuality.
