AUSTRALIA: 64% Support Marriage Equality

A new poll in Australia shows support for marriage equality has almost reached two-thirds, currently at exactly 64%. The cross-tabs show that there is a distinct gender gap in support with 70% of women supporting marriage equality while only 58% of men holding that position.

News 9 reports:

"Support for marriage equality has risen to its highest point ever because Australians are increasingly realising that marriage equality will strengthen relationships, families and marriage," [Australian Marriage Equality] spokesman Alex Greenwich said in a statement. 

Support for gay marriage was highest among Greens voters with 87 per cent backing the move. Some 73 per cent of Labor voters agree same-sex couples should be able to marry but the figure drops to just 52 per cent for coalition voters.

Astonishingly, even though support is this high, the Prime Minister of Australia Julia Gillard and the governing coalition have refused to endorse marriage equality legislation, although they are allowing a "free vote" on the matter by all members of Parliament. A free vote is one where party members are free to vote their conscience, regardless of the official position of the party.

Federal marriage legislation is not expected to go into effect in 2012.