MEMBER for Calare Andrew Gee has announced he voted no in the government’s same-sex marriage survey.
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In a statement Mr Gee said it was a personal choice – and his wife Tina had voted yes.
However, he said that if the majority of Australians supported a yes vote, and it came to a conscience vote in parliament, he would support same-sex marriage legislation.
Mr Gee’s decision was made public just five days before the postal survey closes at 6pm on November 7.
“How people vote is a personal choice and there is a variety of opinion out there,” he said in his electoral column this week.
”Like many, our family has discussed the issue around the kitchen table.
“My wife Tina voted yes and I voted no.”
He said that if there was a majority yes vote, which would lead to a conscience vote, he would not abstain from voting as some no-campaigners had indicated they would do.
“My conscience is telling me that, if the country votes yes, there will be a need for the nation and all Australians to come together and unify and that I should vote in Parliament accordingly, in favour of the legislation,” he said.
“I’ve followed the debate closely and consulted widely with our communities.
“There are issues of freedom of speech, religion and choice that folks are legitimately concerned about and which would have be addressed and sorted.
“I would want to have a say in that debate.”
He said the debate should remain respectful.
“For the most part, I think it has been in our part of the world,” Mr Gee said.
State member for Orange Phil Donato said he and his wife had not received the survey forms and had asked for them to be forwarded.
Mr Donato would not say which way he would vote.
“If it was a matter that I had to vote on in the parliament then I would have telegraphed my decision but it is something I would rather not go into it,” he said.
Orange council deputy mayor Joanne McRae, who attended a public rally to support the yes campaign in Orange in September, said she was not disappointed by Mr Gee’s decision.
“I think every individual is entitled to vote whatever way they feel,” she said.
“It is entirely appropriate that individuals should be making their own decisions.”
Cr McRae said she remained “hopeful” that the yes campaign would win.
The result will be announced on November 15.