Speaking after the Australian Bureau of Statistics announced a majority ‘yes’ vote from the same-sex marriage postal survey, the Orange councillor recalled a vote in 2003 when parliamentarians were asked to consider whether the age of consent for homosexual males should be lowered from 18 years to 16 years to match that of girls. 

Cr Turner, whose son Scott is gay, was the member for Orange and crossed the floor to support the legislation. 

“I wasn’t treated very well by some of my colleagues as a result but I believed in what I was doing,” he said.

“I got a lot of congratulations [in the electorate] – I had one lady say she hoped I would burn in hell, but you’ve got to face that criticism.”

Cr Turner said Wednesday’s result validated his vote somewhat.

“This is what it’s all about, to give them that choice.”