Gay marriage has taken a central role in Labor leader Kevin Rudd's bid to win the 2013 election, with the launch of a new campaign aiming to galvanise voters who support the issue.
In a new YouTube video posted overnight, Mr Rudd acknowledged he has not always been in support of the change but said he would support marriage quality legislation within the first 100 days of parliament if elected.
“I won't hide the fact that this has been a long and difficult journey for me, but here is what I know: we are at our best when we give all Australians the same dignity, the same opportunity for happiness,” he says.
A picture posted to Kevin Rudd's Instagram account also depicted him holding up a sign declaring his support of gay marriage, with a mixed reaction from followers.
“I was going to just not vote and pay the fine, but now you've openly supported gay marriage I'll haul [myself] down there and sling you a vote,” one person wrote in response to the image.
“Labor vote 40 years, gooone,” wrote another.
Gay rights group, Australian Marriage Equality last week released a national survey of 1000 people, which found 30 per cent of voters would be more likely to vote for Labor as a result of Mr Rudd's stance on the issue.
Nineteen per cent said they would be less likely to vote for Labor.
The survey showed the Prime Minister's support for gay marriage has a strong popularity with younger voters.
Just over half of those aged 18 to 24 were more likely to vote for Labor, compared with 18 per cent for those over 50.
Kevin Rudd first announced his changed stance on gay marriage in May, saying he had been persuaded by his daughter to re-think the issue.
Coalition leader Tony Abbott does not support changing the Marriage Act to allow same-sex marriage.
Do you support same sex marriage? Do your views differ from those of your family or community? Tune into Insight's program on gay marriage tonight at 8.30PM on SBS ONE or live stream it at http://www.sbs.com.au/insight/live
