Kevin Andrews remains tight-lipped about how he’ll vote on marriage equality legislation after Menzies says ‘yes’

MENZIES MP Kevin Andrews is refusing to say how he will vote on marriage equality in Parliament.

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - NOVEMBER 15: People in the crowd celebrate as the result is announced during the Official Melbourne Postal Survey Result Announcement at the State Library of Victoria on November 15, 2017 in Melbourne, Australia. Australians have voted for marriage laws to be changed to allow same-sex marriage, with the Yes vote defeating No. Despite the Yes victory, the outcome of Australian Marriage Law Postal Survey is not binding, and the process to change current laws will move to the Australian Parliament in Canberra. (Photo by Scott Barbour/Getty Images)

MENZIES MP Kevin Andrews is refusing to say how he will vote on marriage equality in Parliament.

This is despite an overwhelming yes vote from his electorate in the postal survey.

Nearly 85 per cent of voters in Menzies took part, with 57 per cent voting yes.

Mr Andrews has long campaigned against changing the Marriage Act and expressed concerns about violating religious freedoms.

Other MPs opposed to change appear likely to now vote in accordance with the response from their electorate.

Mallee Nationals MP Andrew Broad — where 54 per cent of respondents voted yes — has previously said he would vote in line with his constituents.

Outspoken Warringah MP Tony Abbott said in an interview on 2GB that he would “facilitate the passage of a bill” after 75 per cent of respondents in his electorate voted yes.

But Mr Andrews last week refused to commit to supporting legislation in Parliament despite the pro-change result.

Instead he said he remained committed to supporting freedom of religion, which he described as “equally important”.

“The postal survey of the attitude of Australians to amending the definition of marriage has resulted in a yes vote,” he said.

“It is clear that the change will be made by the Parliament.

“It is equally important that any legislative change protects the freedom of religion and belief for all Australians.”

Mr Andrews said he believed freedom of religion did not have enough legislative protection in Australia.

“There is very little legal protection for these rights in Australia. I have consistently maintained I would consider the national vote, the vote in Menzies and the adequacy of protections in the legislation,” he said.

“I will continue to work with colleagues to ensure that any legislative changes provide adequate protection for freedom of religion and belief.”

Elsewhere in Melbourne, respondents voted an emphatic “yes” in the Federal Government’s same-sex marriage postal vote.

Only two greater Melbourne federal electorates returned a “no” vote of more than 50 per cent.

These were Calwell (56.8 per cent), which covers northwestern suburbs in Hume, and Bruce (53.1 per cent) in Melbourne’s southeast.

Two of Australia’s three strongest votes in support of marriage equality were found in the inner-city electorates of Melbourne (83.7 per cent in favour) and Melbourne Ports (82 per cent).

Gay & Lesbian Organisation of Business & Enterprise (GLOBE) president Dan de Rochefort said the survey had confirmed most Australians supported marriage equality.

Politicians now have just nine sitting days to pass the bill before Christmas, with Parliament rising for the year on December 7.

Liberal Senator Dean Smith and Senator Penny Wong have sent strong message that any attempts to delay or hijack the bill will not be tolerated.