When Bligh Park resident David Briggs opened his front door to Macquarie MP Louise Markus he couldn’t foresee that by the end of their short exchange he’d be reminded of the discrimination he faced as a teenager.
After a short introduction and discussion with Mrs Markus, who was doorknocking last Friday, about her former profession as a social worker, Mr Briggs said she asked him what the main issue was for him this election, to which he replied “same sex marriage”.
The 25-year-old said he was shocked and hurt by the response that followed.
“She said her Party (Coalition) had a strong clear view on this issue and it would be unlikely she would change her mind,” he said. “I said ‘perhaps I could move to the UK where it’s legal’ and she said ‘perhaps you should move there’.
“I haven’t felt that hurt in that kind of way since I was bullied at 14-years-old over my sexuality,” Mr Briggs told the Hawkesbury Gazette.
“And I never thought something like that would happen on my own doorstep.”
Mr Briggs said Mrs Markus’ reaction surprised him as she had a past as a social worker.
“She would have had training to deal with this type of thing,” he said.
“Her response was outrageous ... she is a representative of our community and suggests that if I want equality I should go overseas.”
Mrs Markus disputed the constituent’s version of events.
‘’As Tony Abbott has said, should the Coalition win government, the issue of same-sex marriage would be a matter for the future Party room,’’ she said.
