Andrew Gee does not support gay marriage.
MEMBER for Orange Andrew Gee does not support same-sex marriage, and will not be voting to legalise it any time soon.
“I will not be voting for the gay marriage bill,” Mr Gee said.
His comment comes after Premier Barry O’Farrell’s proposal to allow members of the Coalition to have a conscience vote on a bill to legalise same-sex marriage.
This follows moves by a cross-party group of MPs, who intend to push to change legislation to allow gay and lesbian couples in NSW to marry.
It is an initiative based on the fact that similar legislation before the Federal Parliament is expected to be voted down.
“Before the state election I stated that I didn’t think the current definition of marriage needed to change and that remains my position on it,” Mr Gee said.
“I therefore won’t be voting in favour of changing it.”
Member for Bathurst Paul Toole has confirmed he too won’t support a push for gay marriage, saying he is proud of the fact that his kids can call their parents mum and dad.
Mr Toole says he does not know which way the Premier will vote.
“I think the Premier is being very fair by allowing a conscience vote on same sex-marriage,” he said.
“It shows he’s a fair leader who will accept what the members of Parliament think about a very controversial issue.
“Personally, I can tell you know I wouldn’t support that type of bill.
“I believe the definition of marriage is a union between a man and a woman and feel very strongly about those old-fashioned values.”
Mr Toole said he agreed with federal opposition leader Tony Abbott on this issue.
“The only difference is he isn’t offering the chance for a conscience vote, which means the three bills before the Federal Parliament probably won’t be passed,” he said.
“At a state level, if same-sex marriage does go to a conscience vote, I think it would be a pretty close call. It could go either way.
“If it did go through then I would accept that call. It’s democracy at work.”
Dubbo MP Troy Grant said he did not support any change to the existing provisions under the Marriage Act.
“I acknowledge that there are a variety of views on this issue ranging from strong opposition to overwhelming support and those views will no doubt be reflected when the matter is voted upon in Parliament,” he said.
“My office has received written and email correspondence that covers the whole range of opinions on this issue and I have considered these views, however my position has not changed.”
