Poll shows signifcant political dividend to Turnbull from dropping plebiscite

MORE VOTERS WANT SENATE TO BLOCK PLEBISCITE THAN NOT

WHEN VOTERS INFORMED THAT PLEBISCITE COSTLY AND NOT BINDING SUPPORT PLUMMETS TO 20%

“Not only will our sons and daughters benefit from dropping the plebiscite, so will Malcolm Turnbull’s popularity.”
– Shelley Argent

A new poll shows Malcolm Turnbull’s popularity would receive a significant boost from dropping the increasingly toxic marriage equality plebiscite and allowing a free vote in parliament instead.

A Galaxy poll released today found almost half of Australian voters (46%) would be more likely to support Mr Turnbull if he returned the issue to parliament for a free vote instead of holding a plebiscite.

Only a fifth of voters said they would be less likely to support him if he nixed a plebiscite.

Meanwhile, more voters than not want the Senate to block a plebiscite even if it passes the Lower House (42% v 33%).

The Galaxy poll, commissioned by Parents and Friends of Lesbians and Gays, also found support for a plebiscite continues to decline with only 38% of voters in support and 44% against.

For the first time, Coalition voters are evenly divided on the issue.

When voters are informed that a plebiscite is not binding and will cost $175 million, opposition to a plebiscite rises to 55% (50% among Coalition voters) and support falls to an all-time low of 20% (31% among Coalition voters).

PFLAG spokesperson, Shelley Argent, said,

“Not only will our sons and daughters benefit from dropping the plebiscite, so will Malcolm Turnbull’s popularity.”

“It’s clear from this poll that Australians don’t want a plebiscite, hope the Senate will block it, and will reward politicians who stand against it.”

In July PFLAG commissioned a similar poll that found support for a plebiscite had fallen to 48% from 70% last year, and fell again to 25% when respondents were informed it would be costly and not binding on MPs.

Last week a Newspoll found support for a plebiscite had fallen to 39%.

Mrs Argent said,

“Their’s only one direction support for a plebiscite is headed and that’s down.”

“It’s time for the Government to abandon the increasingly toxic idea of a plebiscite and have a free vote in Parliament instead.”

Download a copy of the Galaxy poll …

160926_SSM_plebiscite_or_vote_Oct_2016.pdf
Shelley Argent, PARENTS AND FRIENDS OF LESBIANS AND GAYS, Rodney Croome