By Ben Millar and Ewen McRae
A majority of inner-west residents threw their support behind allowing same-sex couples to marry, joining a national push for change to the legal definition of marriage.
Results of the same-sex postal survey were released last week, showing 61.6 per cent of respondents across Australia in favour of change.
The overall Yes vote was almost three million ahead of the No vote – 7,817,247 to 4,873,987, after eight out of 10 eligible Australians expressed their view. All states and territories recorded majority Yes responses and only 17 of the 150 federal electoral divisions recorded majority No responses.
Gellibrand voters (which covers areas including Sunshine, Ardeer and Braybrook) were among the most supportive with more than twice the Yes vote to No – 62,045 (68.1 per cent) compared to 29,065 (31.9 per cent).
In Maribyrnong, the Yes vote was just under 60 per cent – 53,208 (59.9 per cent) to 35,658 (40.1 per cent). Calwell (covering parts of Keilor, Taylors Lakes and Sydenham) was one of just two Victorian electorates to return a majority No vote, with 56.8 per cent of voters against changes to the marriage act.
The local vote reflects the strong public display of support during the survey period.
Maribyrnong MP and Opposition Leader Bill Shorten told a rally in Melbourne last week that the Australian people had declared overwhelmingly Australia is ready for marriage equality.
“This marriage equality survey is not just good for marriage equality … Australians have voted for a modern Australia where diversity is accepted, supported and respected,” he said.
Mr Shorten said same-sex marriage should be legalised as quickly as possible.
“Today we celebrate, tomorrow we legislate,” he said.
