GILMORE MP Ann Sudmalis says the US Supreme Court ruling providing same-sex couples the right to marry will not influence Australia’s decision.
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The court ruled 5-4 that the US constitution guarantees due process and equal protection under the law, meaning states cannot ban same-sex marriages, allowing it to become legal in all 50 states.
“I don’t think the US decision will put more pressure on Australia to also support the move of same sex marriage,” Mrs Sudmalis said.
“A lot of the things the US does, we don’t.
“I don’t think we are in a joined at the hip sort of relationship. Just because America has gone that way doesn’t mean we have to.”
Mrs Sudmalis said she would stand by her earlier statement that her decision on marriage equality would reflect the community’s.
“I’m still aiming to do a community survey in July in my newsletter and will take feedback from that and my decision will be guided by that feedback,” she said.
“I was very surprised of the outcome from the US judges.
“Nine people made this decision in America, which is poor representation of the whole of the nation.
Nine people made this decision in America, which is poor representation of the whole of the nation.
- Gilmore MP Ann Sudmalis
“Someone said to me Austria held a referendum or had a question on the issue and their country said a resounding no. So it is not a global thing.”
Mrs Sudmalis said she has continued to be contacted by residents both for and against marriage equality.
“I will be guided by the community’s feedback and a lot of that will be from what the community survey reflects. I will reflect the community’s wishes,” she said.
“I’m still open-minded.”
She said she believes one of the main sticking points for many people against marriage equality was the word marriage.
“I honestly believe you would have overwhelming support if you took the word marriage out of the debate,” she said.
She said there had been no talk on same sex marriage within the party over the past few weeks.
“We have so many other things to preoccupy us,” she said.
Cambewarra woman Coralie Bell, who established the Gilmore Community Support Marriage Equality Facebook page, welcomed the US decision.
We are now only one of three countries in the Western world that don’t support same sex marriage.
- Coralie Bell
The Facebook page now has more than 1900 likes and a local petition boasts more than 1000 signatures.
“I’m very happy with what happened in the US,” she said.
“It’s exciting, like I think it was for everyone else.
“The world’s gone rainbow,” was her response to the overwhelming support on Facebook.
“Hopefully, this decision will again make it a talking point in Australia.
“We are now only one of three countries in the Western world that don’t support same sex marriage.”
Mrs Sudmalis said she hoped to have her latest community newsletter out, which will include a question on marriage equality, in coming weeks.