Nationals MP Andrew Broad will uphold result of national marriage survey

VICTORIAN Nationals MP Andrew Broad says he will vote yes to same-sex marriage in Parliament, if that is the result of the national survey.

VICTORIAN  Nationals MP Andrew Broad says he will vote yes to same-sex marriage in Parliament, if that is the result of the national survey.

But the Mallee MP has warned against rushing a same-sex marriage bill through Parliament without time being taken to further enshrine religious freedoms.

Andrew Broad. Picture: Kym Smith

Mr Broad — who personally voted no in the postal survey — has previously come under fire for his views on same-sex relationships, and threatened to cross the floor if the Federal Government allowed a free vote on same-sex marriage without a plebiscite.

The Australian Bureau of Statistics — which is calling for survey forms to be posted by no later than this Friday in order to count — has received 10.8 million forms so far. A recent Newspoll, published in The Australian, indicates 59 per cent of people have voted yes, with 39 per cent voting no.

Though the survey result is non-binding, Mr Broad told The Weekly Times it was his “moral obligation to uphold the wishes of the Australian public”.

“To do anything else would be to not give legitimacy to people’s vote,” he said.

“I think it’s great that people have got involved and voted, especially younger Australians. It shows the decision to hold a vote was the right one.”

The ABS will release the results of the survey on November 15. If there is a “yes” majority, a private members’ bill will be introduced and a free vote allowed.

Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull last week said, in that event, he expected same-sex marriage to be dealt with before Parliament breaks up in December.

Labor has said it would back Liberal senator Dean Smith’s bill, which has been criticised by the “no” campaign for not providing enough protection for religious freedoms.

Mr Broad reiterated those concerns, as there were only two sitting weeks remaining after November 15.

“I’d rather it’s dealt with this year but only if the work is done (to alleviate those concerns),” he said.

Fellow Victorian Nationals Darren Chester and Damian Drum have long supported same-sex marriage, along with independent Cathy McGowan.

Liberal MP for Wannon Dan Tehan has previously said he personally believes in the traditional definition of marriage but would uphold the result of the national poll.