Margaret Court says she is inclined to end her 50-year association with the Liberals over same-sex marriage, believing the major parties are presiding over the nation’s moral decline.
The tennis legend and pastor, who is married to former WA Liberal president Barry Court, urged politicians who were personally opposed to same-sex marriage to follow their conscience rather than the national survey result.
Mrs Court, who argues that marriage is set down in the Bible as being between a man and a woman, said there did not appear to be place in the major parties for people with similar views.
“We look at what’s there now and they are not listening to the conservatives or what a lot of people would like,” she said.
“They are not allowing you to speak. I don’t think I want to be with either party.”
Mrs Court, whose Victory Life Church was opened by Liberal luminary Sir Charles Court in 1997, said she did not believe Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull or the media had properly examined the effects of same-sex marriage on education and society overseas.
The record grand slam holder, whose stance on marriage has led to calls for Margaret Court Arena in Melbourne to be renamed, said she would continue to speak her mind but “it should have nothing to do with my tennis career”.
Liberal State president Norman Moore said he hoped she would reconsider.
