The Mercury has asked all candidates who provided an email address to the electoral commission about their stance on the upcoming postal survey on same-sex marriage.
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Their answers are below, listed in the order on the ballot.
Answers have not been edited.
GROUP A – Independent
Tony Pratt, Warilla, 61
No email address provided.
Steven Krinks, Lake Illawarra, 32
Voting YES.
I will be voting YES for marriage equality for many reasons but foremost it is the fair and equitable thing to do in this day and age, They do not want to change the definition of love and marriage but open it up so they they can enjoy the same opportunities and equality as the rest.
Caitlin Emmerich, Albion Park, age not provided
No email address provided.
Rob Crilly, Mount Warrigal, 46
No email address provided.
GROUP B – LIBERAL
Nathan Cattell, Shell Cove, birth date incorrect
Voting YES.
I have many friends that are very happily in love that are both Gay or Lesbian and feel that all people within the community deserve the right to equality and to love whomever they wish.
Zachary Fitzpatrick, Albion Park Rail, 27
No answer.
Janelle Trigg, Shell Cove, age not provided
No email address provided.
Patrick Bennett, Shell Cove, age not provided
No email address provided.
Deborah Bruce, Barrack Heights, 34
No email address provided.
Michaela Wyett, Shell Cove, age not provided
No answer.
John Kelleher, Dunmore, 72
No email address provided.
GROUP C – Independent/ALP members “Our Community Matters”
Barry Bird, Barrack Heights, 62
Voting YES.
I believe that people should have the choice to marry or not marry regardless of their status, race, or religion.
Secondly, I object to the spending of $144 million on a postal survey.
Even a fraction of this money could have been better spent in our Local Government area, or to help provide more affordable housing, or on employment programs, especially for our young people.
Jade Jolliffe, Mount Warrigal, age not provided
No email address provided.
Danna Nelse, Barrack Heights, 58
No email address provided.
Ros Phelps, Lake Illawarra, 54
No email address provided.
GROUP D – Independent/ALP members: Community First for Shellharbour City
John Murray, Shell Cove, 63
Voting YES.
I see this as an issue of basic rights. All people should be treated equally.
We should not draw arbitrary lines around some and treat them differently.
This issue should have been resolved by the Government, but they lack the courage of their convictions, so they fob it off to a costly plebiscite.
We should send them a strong message, with a resounding YES.
David Boyle, Lake Illawarra, 58
No answer.
Narelle Clay, Barrack Heights, 61
Voting YES.
This is a human rights issue. I believe in equal rights for all including the right to choose to legally marry.
In my work, I often see the heartache caused by the lack of support, recognition and rights afforded to people. In the case of those who wish to marry a same sex partner, they simply want to be happy and make a public and legal commitment to each other. I say why not?
I also believe this matter should have been resolved by simple old-fashioned representative government. However given their lack of courage, then we will do it with a resounding YES vote.
Cliff Sears, Shellharbour, 57
Voting YES.
Why – because I belief in equality on all levels including same-sex marriage. Same-sex marriage is reflective of true equality as we have legislated in many other areas of the law.
The law needs to reflect the majority of Australian values and attitudes in the 21st century on the issue of same-sex marriage.
GROUP E – Independent
Diane Quinlin, Warilla, age not provided
No answer.
Max Clay, Shellharbour, age not provided
No answer.
Ken Stratton, address not provided
Would not answer.
Robin Harwood, Blackbutt, age not provided
No email address provided.
GROUP F – Independent
Helen Stewart, Oak Flats, 66
Would not answer.
I do not believe the question reflects on my position with council.
However, I understand the emotional conflict many may feel as they contemplate their vote.
I question if my response will influence others or be a factor when deciding their preferred candidate in the September Local Government Election.
Having several dear friends who share a loving meaningful relationship, I understand their need to be recognised as a couple.
At the same time I believe it to be a personal private decision and I do not expect people to be judged by their decision, as I do not judge people by their choice of lifestyle.
Craig Ridding, Oak Flats, 42
No email address provided.
Anthony Cunningham, Albion Park, age not provided
No email address provided.
Anne McNaughton, Albion Park Rail, age not provided
No email address provided.
GROUP G – Independent/Shellharbour City Community Team
Steve Doyle, Flinders, 73
No email address provided.
Jason Smith, Albion Park, birth date incorrect
No answer.
Jeremy Hood, Shell Cove, birth date incorrect
No email address provided.
Hetty Allen, Barrack Heights, 71
No answer.
GROUP H – Independent
Peter Moran, Oak Flats, age not provided
No answer.
Bronwyn Fackender, Albion Park, age not provided
No email address provided.
Rob Truskett, Warilla, 54
No answer.
Brian Pember, Lake Illawarra, birth date incorrect
No answer.
Marni Casey, Oak Flats, age not provided
No email address provided.
GROUP I – Kellie Marsh Independents Team
Kellie Marsh, Blackbutt, 46
No answer.
Frank Testa, Shell Cove, 47
No answer.
Brian Walker, Shell Cove, 78
No answer.
Philip May, Mount Warrigal, 49
No answer.
GROUP J – LABOR
Marianne Saliba, Warilla, 57
Voting YES.
This is not about homosexuality, it's not even about marriage. It's about equality in our community. We have one portion of the community who are being discriminated against.
Making this change will not make homosexuality compulsory but it will allow everyone in our community the freedom to marry the person of their choice, the one they love. I call myself a Christian and I know in my heart that all people deserve fairness.
Robert Petreski, Shell Cove, 44
No email address provided.
Moira Hamilton, Oak Flats, 67
No email address provided.
Alex MacLeod, Flinders, 68
No email address provided.
UNGROUPED
Rodna Kencevski, Albion Park, 50
No email address provided.