MARRIAGE equality advocates say polling showing more Northern Tasmanians support same-sex marriage than oppose it should send a strong message to two sitting Liberal MPs. ReachTEL polling commissioned by The Examiner shows 47.9 per cent of Bass voters were in favour of marriage equality, compared with 40.7 per cent against. More than 11 per cent of Bass electors were undecided. In Lyons, there was 45.3 per cent support compared with 40.4 per cent opposition, with more than 14per cent undecided. Australian Marriage Equality director Rodney Croome said that with a 4 per cent margin of error, combined with issues surrounding automated polls to landline telephones, the level of support may be much higher. ‘‘Even in these relatively conservative electorates there is still more people that support marriage equality than oppose it,’’ he said. ‘‘The strong and clear message from this poll is that Andrew Nikolic and Eric Hutchinson should both vote for marriage equality.’’ Mr Croome said the number of people for whom same-sex marriage was the most important issue (6.3 per cent in Bass and 3.7 per cent in Lyons) did not fully account for those who consider the issue an important issue, if not their top priority. Mr Hutchinson said the polling results had not changed his views on marriage equality. ‘‘I don’t have a strong personal view, but the opinion of those who do should be respected,’’ Mr Hutchinson said. ‘‘I welcome insight from people in my electorate on this issue and will continue to listen to what they have to say.’’ Mr Nikolic, who has consistently opposed same-sex marriage, said his focus was on jobs and the economy. Australian Christian Lobby state director Mark Brown said the results showed the public was yet to be convinced on redefining marriage. ‘‘It’s encouraging to see people are not being swayed by the inevitability rhetoric in the media,’’ Mr Brown said. ■ A headline stating most Northern Tasmanians opposed same-sex marriage in The Examiner on Monday was not correct. Polling in Bass showed 47.9 per cent supported same-sex marriage while 40.7 per cent opposed it. In Lyons, 45.3 per cent supported same-sex marriage while 40.4 per cent opposed it.
MARRIAGE equality advocates say polling showing more Northern Tasmanians support same-sex marriage than oppose it should send a strong message to two sitting Liberal MPs.
ReachTEL polling commissioned by The Examiner shows 47.9 per cent of Bass voters were in favour of marriage equality, compared with 40.7 per cent against. More than 11 per cent of Bass electors were undecided.
In Lyons, there was 45.3 per cent support compared with 40.4 per cent opposition, with more than 14per cent undecided.
Australian Marriage Equality director Rodney Croome said that with a 4 per cent margin of error, combined with issues surrounding automated polls to landline telephones, the level of support may be much higher.
‘‘Even in these relatively conservative electorates there is still more people that support marriage equality than oppose it,’’ he said.
‘‘The strong and clear message from this poll is that Andrew Nikolic and Eric Hutchinson should both vote for marriage equality.’’
Mr Croome said the number of people for whom same-sex marriage was the most important issue (6.3 per cent in Bass and 3.7 per cent in Lyons) did not fully account for those who consider the issue an important issue, if not their top priority.
Mr Hutchinson said the polling results had not changed his views on marriage equality.
‘‘I don’t have a strong personal view, but the opinion of those who do should be respected,’’ Mr Hutchinson said.
‘‘I welcome insight from people in my electorate on this issue and will continue to listen to what they have to say.’’
Mr Nikolic, who has consistently opposed same-sex marriage, said his focus was on jobs and the economy.
Australian Christian Lobby state director Mark Brown said the results showed the public was yet to be convinced on redefining marriage.
‘‘It’s encouraging to see people are not being swayed by the inevitability rhetoric in the media,’’ Mr Brown said.
■ A headline stating most Northern Tasmanians opposed same-sex marriage in The Examiner on Monday was not correct. Polling in Bass showed 47.9 per cent supported same-sex marriage while 40.7 per cent opposed it. In Lyons, 45.3 per cent supported same-sex marriage while 40.4 per cent opposed it.
