Same Sex Marriage: How the Gold Coast and Northern Rivers voted overwhelmingly to legalise love

THE answers are in and it's a resounding yes for marriage equality from Australia. But how did the Gold Coast vote? Here’s how the numbers break down for the Coast and Tweeds electorates.

THE residents of the Gold Coast and Tweed’s six federal electorates unanimously voted yes on marriage equality in the controversial survey which divided the community.

The announcement, made just after 9am this morning, revealed 61.6 per cent of Australians and 60.7 per cent of Queenslanders in favour of same sex marriage.

Australian Bureau of Statistics figures show Gold Coasters were also strongly in favour of YES with our seats returning votes of:

FADDEN:

(MP — Stuart Robert, LNP, takes in Biggera Waters, Coombabah, Coomera, Gaven, Gilberton, Helensvale, Hollywell, Hope Island, Jacobs Well, Labrador, Molendinar, Norwell, Paradise Point, Parkwood, Runaway Bay, Stapylton, Steiglitz, Woongoolba and parts of Ormeau, Oxenford, Pacific Pines)

Yes — 52,154 (61.8)

No — 32,218 (38.2)

FORDE:

(MP — Bert Van Manen, LNP takes in Beenleigh, Ormeau Hills, Tanah Merah, Upper Coomera, Ormeau)

Yes — 46,937 (60.5)

No — 30,585 (39.5)

MONCRIEFF:

(MP — Steven Ciobo, LNP. Takes in Ashmore, Benowa, Broadbeach, Broadbeach Waters, Bundall, Carrara, Main Beach, Mermaid Beach, Mermaid Waters and Surfers Paradise as well as parts of Miami, Nerang, Southport and Worongary)

Yes — 50,566 (63.8)

No — 28,717 (36.2)

MCPHERSON:

(MP — Karen Andrews, LNP, Takes in Coolangatta, Tugun, Currumbin, Elanora, Palm Beach, Burleigh Heads, Robina, Varsity Lakes to Merrimac and Clear Island Waters)

Yes — 54,034 (65.5)

No — 28,486 (34.5)

WRIGHT:

(MP — Scott Buchholz, LNP, Takes in the Lockyer Valley Regional Council, Scenic Rim Regional and parts of Logan City and Gold Coast City Council)

Yes — 47,109 (56.8)

No — 35,812 (43.2)

RICHMOND:

(MP — Justine Elliot, Labor, takes in Ballina, Bangalow, Brunswick Heads, Burringbar, Byron Bay, Hastings Point, Kingscliff, Lennox Head, Mullumbimby, Murwillumbah, Suffolk Park, and Tweed Heads)

Yes — 62,591 (67.9)

No — 29,625 (32.1).

McPherson MP Karen Andrews this morning confirmed she would vote yes.

Karen Andrews is a “Yes” vote Picture by Richard Gosling

“My position since this process began is that I will vote in Parliament in accordance with the result of the postal survey in my electorate of McPherson,” she said.

“78 per cent of eligible voters in McPherson took part in the survey with 65.5 per cent indicating their support for change in a marriage laws to allow same sex marriage.

“Accordingly, I will vote in favour of same sex marriage.:"

Richmond, which takes in Tweed Heads and much of the Northern Rivers delivered the strongest support, while Wright, which takes in the Hinterland, Beaudesert and much of Lockyer Valley, recorded the lowest support at 56.8 per cent.

A bill to legalise same-sex marriage will by put to the Senate tomorrow and is expected to go before the House of Representatives for a vote before Christmas.