Hunter Federal Coalition MP Will Back Same Sex Marriage Legislation

BY IAN CROUCH

The Hunter's only Federal Coalition MP plans to vote Yes to same sex marriage legislation as long as religious and parental freedoms aren't compromised.

David Gillespie's electorate of Lyne, which takes in parts of Port Stephens and Maitland, voted 55 per cent in favour of Same Sex Marriage, so he intends to follow the wishes of his electorate, despite personally being a no campaigner.

He says it's time to look forward, with legislation expected to come before Parliament today.

"I think all the issues of protection of religious freedom and expression of religious thought and not being conflicted if someone holds strong beliefs needs to be protected as well as the freedom of speech and parental control of what their children are taught - they're very important foundational principals," he said.

Federal Member for Lyne, David Gillespie

It Could Get A Little Rowdy at Politics in the Pub Tonight

BY JESSICA ROUSE

Politics in the Pub is coming to Newcastle tonight, and it's sure to be a very lively discussion.

Shadow Assistant Treasurer and Member for Fenner Andrew Leigh is visiting Newcastle this week and will be hosting tonight's pub event with local MP Sharon Claydon.

He said he has no doubts the discussion could get rowdy with topics ranging from same sex marriage to the dual citizenship crisis plaguing the parliament.

"I imagine once we get past the usual jokes about dual citizenship we'll move onto the plethora of issues that are on people's minds. Newcastle voted strongly for marriage equality and I'm keen to see when parliament resumes that bill passes the parliament."

The discussion is also likely to turn to funding for schools, new hospitals, an answer to our clean energy future and Novocastrian's numerous grievances with the National Broadband Network.

"You can think of it as being like a boisterous Christmas lunch. People will be throwing questions at us and we'll be doing our best to respond and one of the things that I've constantly noticed through these kinds of events is that while you might impart some ideas, you learn far more than you give," said Andrew.

"The great thing about these politics in the pub type events is that you never know what's going to come up."

Politics in the Pub is on at Foghorn Brewhouse tonight 6pm until 7:30pm.

MP Andrew Leigh. Image theadvocate.com.au

It's a Resounding YES to Same Sex Marriage

BY JESSICA ROUSE AND SARAH JAMES

Across the country the result of the same sex marriage postal survey is a resounding Yes.

The Australian Bureau of Statistics announced the results this morning which saw 61 per cent of voters vote Yes and 38 per cent vote No.

The Australian Capital Territory returned the highest majority of Yes votes with 74 percent, and New South Wales returned the least with 57.8 per cent.

133 electorates voted yes, 95 of those electorates had a majority of 60 per cent; of the 17 electorates who voted No, 6 of those electorates had a 60 percent majority of No votes.

YES Campaigners with Tiernan Brady in Newcastle earlier this year.

The statistics become more interesting the more you break them down, females were more likely to respond to the survey and those voters aged between 25 - 29 years old had the lowest participation rate compared to the 70 - 74 age group being the most likely to respond to the survey.

Now it's expected two private member's bills will be put before parliament. Both are from Liberal members including one from West Australian senator Dean Smith.

Some Conservatives want strong religious protections, but other MPs say the bill can't threaten anti-discrimination laws. Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull has endorsed a bill co-signed by Labor and the Greens which will leave religious protections to the mercy of the Senate.

How did Novocastrians vote?

The Newcastle electorate responded overwhelmingly in favour of same-sex marriage, with 74.8% of people voting Yes.

This meant Newcastle had the fifth-largest majority of Yes voters in the country.

Paterson, Shortland and Hunter returned similar results, with 65.5%, 67.7% and 64.4% voting yes respectively.

"What an exceptional result. It certainly demonstrates just how strongly the public believes in equality for all, and particularly here in Newcastle, how supportive our community is of the diversity of our region," said Deputy Lord Mayor Declan Clausen.

Declan Clausen thanked the work of volunteers who campaigned for the Yes vote, ensuring people were enrolled and got their vote in.

"I was extremely pleased to see the huge number of volunteers that were out every day of the week and on weekends in the leadup to the closing of the survey, making sure people had the opportunity to return their vote and have a say," he said.

It's a Who, not a What: Marriage Equality Campaigner Visits Newcastle

BY JESSICA ROUSE

The Bureau of Statistics has revealed the response to the same sex marriage survey has been huge, particularly here in Newcastle.

The man leading the Yes Campaign believes almost 60 per of voters have returned their survey form so far.

Meeting today outside an Islington home proudly boasting a rainbow fence, Australians For Equality Executive Director, Tiernan Brady met with Novocastrian Yes campaigners. He says from door knocking and phone calls alone, there's been a resounding majority of people saying they have voted, and they've voted yes.

Yes campaigners gathering in Islington today. 

"This is not a normal political campaign. It's not about taxes or defence policy or schools, it's about real people's lives and their dignity and people who live in Newcastle who love their community every little bit as everybody else in Newcastle and they just want to be treated the same," said Tiernan.

One of those real people was John, one of the Yes campaigners who lost his partner to pancreatic cancer. On his death certificate, John is identified as an "informant of death" which he says would be a different situation if his marriage was to be legalised.

"Marriage equality isn't some strange 'what', it's a 'who', it's somebody who lives on the same street as us. I think when people understand that they understand that marriage equality doesn't take anything from anybody."

Tiernan is blown away by the support Newcastle City Council has thrown behind the campaign and can see residents who identify as gay or lesbian are taking great strength from the support.

"I think the support of the council has been incredible in Newcastle. Most especially for the people of Newcastle because it sends such a powerful message to everybody in the community that the council that represents that community thinks everybody should be equal."

Tiernan played a key role in the successful campaign for same sex marriage in Ireland in 2015 and says compared to Ireland, Newcastle's reaction to the campaign and the polling numbers are quite similar. He's hopeful that similarity will lead to success in Australia for marriage equality.

"The wonderful thing to know from the Irish experience that the day after marriage equality happens, all that happens is a few more people get married and people get on with their lives. No one becomes less married and no one becomes more gay," said Tiernan.

The rainbow fence in Islington.

According to polling data released this week, one in five Australians aged between 18 and 24 had filled in the form but were yet to post it.

Particularly in Newcastle, there's a lot of students living away from home to attend university who may not have even gotten hold of their survey. With just over four weeks left to cast your vote, the campaign is reminding everyone to visit the post box.

"We all know that whatever happens with this vote we all have to wake up in Australia the next day, we all have to share the same country. So winning for us isn't about beating anybody. Winning for us is about persuading people. We understand that even though the majority of Australians are for us, there are some we are yet to persuade."

Marriage Equality Debate Hits Lake Macquarie

BY MATT JOHNSTON

It's expected Labor will put forward a motion to 'Support Marriage Equality' at tonight's city council meeting. But not everyone in favour of marriage equality thinks the motion is a good idea.

 Liberal Cr Nick Jones says his same sex partner "would kill [him]" if he didn't support marriage equality, but this isn't an issue that should be discussed by local council.

"It's not up to council to make this decision on behalf of our residents."

Cr Jones says that upcoming postal vote, which he isn't in favour of, should express how residents feel about the matter, rather than council doing it on their behalf.

What frustrates Cr Jones is that "the issue shouldn't be coming up in front of council at all", and that some Councillors are "just trying to make the most of a political opportunity for themselves."

"They might be genuine about marriage equality- I'm not saying they don't support it- but their intentions here are not to try and persuade the federal government."

"Lake Macquarie Council voting one way or another in this issue doesn't change the federal government's mind, it doesn't change the general public's mind. It's just not up to us to make that decision."

Cr Jones suggests that the best way for Lake Macquarie Council to serve its LGBTI residents is to have inclusive and respectful policies and procedures for staff who deal with their concerns.

"Our staff are fantastic. They're progressive, they're understanding of the social world changing. That's where council need to focus, to make sure they keep their ship in order."