LETTER TO THE EDITOR:
I WAS very disappointed with the announcement that Darren Chester would support same sex marriage, which will lead to the redefinition of marriage as we have known it for many generations.
My greatest concern is that Gippsland is no longer being accurately represented by Mr Chester and the Nationals.
The majority of Gippslanders voted for Mr Chester and the National Party to represent us in the last election.
Yet Mr Chester’s Facebook consultation engaged one particular demographic, created an intimidating environment for those with an opposing view and as a result excluded the greater voice in our community.
Mr Chester’s own survey revealed that 66 per cent of the constituency was against this law and only 26 per cent were for it.
Mr Chester has been empowered and elected by the majority.
It would be particularly unprofessional of our Federal Member to represent his own agenda in parliament rather than the view of his electorate.
Mr Chester failed to engage in widespread consultation that would have given more people the opportunity to express their genuine views.
The decision to change something as intrinsic to our society as marriage deserves more notification than a sentence on his website and a status on his Facebook page.
