53 per cent of Australians support marriage equality

A poll of Australians published in the November 16th edition of Essential Report indicates that a majority of Australians support legal marriage between two people of the same gender. 53 per cent of those polled said they see no reason why same-sex unions should not be legal. Only 36 per cent of Australians believe the law should remain unchanged to recognize marriage as being between a man and a woman. The remaining 11 per cent are undecided. Several legislators have privately expressed support for marriage equality, and more are expected to come forward. But Opposition Leader Tony Abbott maintains a conservative position.


Q. Do you think people of the same sex should or should not be allowed to marry?

	Total	Vote Labor	Vote Lib/Nat	Vote Greens
Should be allowed to marry	53%	57%	45%	80%
Should not be allowed to marry	36%	32%	45%	12%
Don’t know	11%	10%	10%	8%

Same-sex marriage is supported by just over half (53%) of respondents and 36% are opposed.
Those most likely to think people of the same sex should be allowed to marry are female (59%), aged under 55 (60%) and Greens voters (80%).
Those most likely to think people of the same sex should not be allowed to marry are male (42%), aged 55+ (57%) and Liberal/National voters (45%).

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