Parkes is one of the electorates most opposed to same-sex marriage, according to a new study.
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The University of Melbourne-led study – based on responses to the ABC's Vote Compass survey in 2013 and weighted in analysis to reflect the demographics in each electorate – found only a third of voters were opposed to changing the marriage act.
Of the 10 electorates most opposed to same-sex marriage, Parkes is ranked ninth, although more than 50 per cent of voters were in favour.
Only one electorate in the country has a majority of voters opposed to same-sex marriage – Maranoa in outback south-western Queensland.
Parkes MP Mark Coulton said he was not surprised by the study’s findings.
“It’s not really an accurate record, it’s not a scientifically-conducted poll but the trend is Parkes is one of the more conservative electorates and that’s what I’ve been saying all the way through,” Mr Coulton said.
The study found opposition to changing the Marriage Act ranges from 40 to just over 50 per cent in a handful of rural Queensland and northern NSW seats to less than 10 per cent in inner-city electorates in Sydney and Melbourne.
Just over 50 per cent of Maranoa voters were opposed to change. Groom, Flynn and Hinkler in Queensland and Deputy Prime Minister Barnaby Joyce's base in New England could oppose same-sex marriage if undecided voters opted for the status quo.
The study found a significant divide in opinion between rural and urban areas. Every rural and regional electorate in the country has below-average backing for change, while support is above average in inner-city seats of every capital city.
It also found the stronger the support for legalising same-sex marriage in an electorate, the more likely an MP was to publicly support the change.
Mr Coulton said his vote in parliament would depend on the outcome of a plebiscite.
“If we have a plebiscite I would vote to retain the status quo – that’s my personal vote – but if we have a plebiscite I would need to reflect on the wishes of the Parkes electorate and Australia as a whole,” he said.
“That’s the point of having a plebiscite.”
He indicated he would be willing to vote to change the marriage act if a large majority of Australians supported it, but would vote with the Parkes electorate if the nation narrowly supported the changes.