>>Although I can see why you wouldn't want to comment on a poll of 140,000 people which revealed 55% or 78,000 were AGAINST same-sex marriage (do not believe in mimicking marriage) compared with the 800 questioned in the recent Gallaxy poll.<<

If it's size that counts I'd refer you to this study of 276,437 people:

http://www.aph.gov.au/Parliamentary_Business/Committees/House_of_Representatives_Committees?url=spla/bill%20marriage/survey.htm

177,663 or 64% of respondents were in favour of changing the law to allow same sex marriage.

Cheers,

Tony

Hey Tony. Thanks for your comment. I am aware of those figures and yes, that particular survey showed a majority in favour. Do you remember when parliamentarians were asked to go to their constituents and see where they stood on this issue? The response was that the great majority did not want to change the definition of marriage. The gay websites made very little comment at the time (naturally) but it did show an interesting result. Also, were you aware of the number of form letters sent in with regard to your link?

My comments were simply in response to one person here who seemed to think that ALL polls showed the majority of Australians are in favour of changing the definition of marriage, when in actual fact the majority of Australians have never been asked! That's why so many are calling for a referendum or some alternate way to give everyone an opportunity to have their vote on the issue. As I said previously, polls have shown support both ways. I mix with a large number of people and I am yet to meet anyone who has been asked their view in a phone poll. However, if some form of referendum was given, and the result was overwhelmingly in support of marriage, would those supporting SSM put the matter to rest? Somehow I think not...

>>That's why so many are calling for a referendum or some alternate way to give everyone an opportunity to have their vote on the issue.<<

Referendums are only held for amendments to the constitution. What you're after is a plebiscite. It would be easy to do and not that expensive - just hand out an extra voting slip at the next election. I believe plebiscites are non-binding but it would settle the question once and for all: the Government should then act accordingly.

Cheers,

Tony

To be fair, the most important results are from the senate and house of reps submissions..only people who cared enough about the issue to have a say responded, and the results were in favour of marriage equality. I agree polls can be difficult because only some are asked - so how about we just look at the results of the senate and reps submissions? There is no need for a referendum-we elected mps and senators to given, if we had a referendum on every issue we wouldn't need politicians at all! Actually, that's not a bad idea... ;-)

The point of the article is, however, that marriage equality laws will improve health and three current discrimination harms many Australians. faced with the the scientific evidence, i don't see how any logical thinking Australian can be against marriage equality. Looking forward to the day when logic, reason and humanity win out and we achieve full equality for same sex couples.

@doc - Of course you would choose to support that poll! Are you suggesting that the 78,000 who opposed same sex marriage in the Nine msn poll weren't serious about this issue? I agree with Tony. A plebiscite would show what this nation really wants, and then the Government can act accordingly.

Anyway, how can a decrease in clinical visits equate to better health? That's like saying if I visit the casino less frequently I will become richer.

I'm looking forward to the day when morality, the rights of children, and a society with a conscience will win out, and some will stop trying to hijack a natural institution with an unnatural concept

A study in Massachusetts showed a significant decrease in clinic visits for non-heterosexual men for mental health reasons following the legalisation of same sex marriage.

Perhaps gay men should have to pay extra for health care, as they are knowingly participating in an act that increases the risks of STD's and mental health issues, not to mention the likes of AIDS.

Its called, User pays.

As for gay marriage, I'm over that crap, it's time they moved on and found another word.