A new poll has found that 62% of Australians support same-sex marriage - up from 60% last year. Among the young, support is even higher - 80% among 18 - 24 year olds. 74% of Labour voters support change, and 78% of all voters support the issue being decided by a conscience vote. So why does the government oppose one, and insist that Labour MP's bloc-vote against their own supporters?
As I've argued before, its the electoral system, stupid. Australia's non-proportional system means that the votes of swing voters in key marginal seats are more important than the votes of voters elsewhere. And those voters are bigots. So, a progressive move supported by the majority of Australians is held hostage by a minority, thanks to the disproportionate power granted them by an unfair electoral system. I'm just glad that we don't have the same problem in New Zealand.
Meanwhile, I'm wondering what New Zealanders think of the issue. While civil unions are now accepted, is there support for further progress? Are there any polls?
