GILMORE residents will in coming days get the opportunity to let local MP Ann Sudmalis know where they stand on marriage equality.
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Mrs Sudmalis has responded to a grassroots campaign to put the issue in the spotlight after she initially claimed constituents were against marriage equality. The Register said at the time it was important to canvass community opinion before claiming to know what it was.
The survey, which is available online and will be posted out to homes this week, will not only test the community’s attitudes to marriage equality; it will also be a test of Mrs Sudmalis’ ability to engage with her constituents. The number of respondents will give her party colleagues a measure of how well she is communicating with the electorate.
This will be important data as the Liberal Party lays the groundwork for next year’s election battle, which if the opinion polls are any measure will be a close run contest, particularly in this electorate, one of the few to have its margin mauled in the 2013 Coalition landslide.
We urge anyone who is interested in marriage equality – either for or against it – take the time to answer the survey. This will enable Mrs Sudmalis to hold true to her pledge to cast her vote in the parliament according to her constituents’ desires.
One of the cornerstones of a democracy is participation and this is a great opportunity to do just that. So often we hear complaints that the politicians are not listening. This survey is a chance to be heard.
We applaud Mrs Sudmalis for undertaking this exercise and looking forward to seeing the results – not just how many support or oppose marriage equality but also how many people took the time to complete the survey.
The survey will be available online at annsudmalis.mp.com.au