Liberal backbencher Sarah Henderson the latest MP to back same-sex marriage
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Version 0 of 1. Liberal backbencher Sarah Henderson has become the latest MP to throw her support behind same-sex marriage. Henderson, a first-term MP who snatched her Victorian seat of Corangamite from Labor in the 2013 federal election, released a statement saying marriage equality “is consistent with fundamental Liberal values which embrace freedom of the individual and stable, long-term relationships”. She told ABC 24 on Tuesday morning she reached that conclusion after extensive consultations with her electorate. “I hadn’t reached a position publicly but I’m pleased to make it known that I will support not only same-sex marriage but, of course, a free vote,” she said. Marriage equality advocate and the Tasmanian of the year, Rodney Croome, believes Henderson’s support tips the balance in the House of Representatives. “We may just have crossed the line into a majority, I’m not calling it yet but I think we’re very close,” he told the ABC. The assistant treasurer, Josh Frydenberg, who is a supporter of same-sex marriage, told ABC’s Q&A program that he thinks the party room has the numbers to grant a conscience vote. “I think there are,” he said. “I, like many of the other local members in the parliament, have met with a number of constituents, and my views have evolved after meeting with constituents and seeing the deep affection that people of same-sex relationships have for each other. Others like me have come to it later, but I think we just need to respect the views on both sides of the parliament.” Liberal senator for the Australian Capital Territory, Zed Seselja, took a veiled swipe at Frydenberg in a doorstop interview on Tuesday morning, pointing out that the Coalition officially does not support same-sex marriage. “I don’t think we should have ministers go against party policy,” Seselja said. Henderson cited conservative governments championing same-sex marriage in the United Kingdom and New Zealand as examples of the “significant shift” on the issue from her side of politics. Related: Same-sex marriage: Bill Shorten calls for Coalition MPs to support new law But she insisted legislation that is eventually passed by Australia must be bipartisan. “I support a bill coming into the parliament that’s sponsored by the Greens, our side of politics and also Labor.” Advocate group Australian Marriage Equality welcomed Henderson’s announcement. “Geelong for Marriage Equality is extremely happy that through Sarah Henderson the Corangamite LGBTI community and their families and friends will now have a voice in parliament that truly believes in human rights and in equality for all Australians,” Sharyn Faulkner said. Opposition leader Bill Shorten on Monday introduced a private members’ bill to remove a clause in the Marriage Act that says marriage is between a man and a woman. Labor had approached the former government whip, Warren Entsch, to co-sign the bill, but Entsch indicated he would be happy to consult with Labor on the issue after the parliamentary budget sitting. Legislation on same-sex marriage will only pass parliament if the Coalition is granted a conscience vote. Tony Abbott has consistently said that the party room will decide whether or not to change its current platform, which is the opposition to same-sex marriage, in order to grant a free vote. |