A Year 12 student will hand back a prize she received at her graduation ceremony because the Federal Liberal MP who sponsored the award is publicly opposed to same-sex marriage.

Duncraig Senior High School student Grace Gouldstone will deliver a letter today to principal Stephen Spice explaining why she is returning the “Ian Goodenough award for positive attitude and contribution to the school” presented to her on Thursday.

“I feel strongly that the sponsor of the award, Ian Goodenough MP, does not support the values of that particular award and does not reflect the values of our school as a positive and inclusive environment, promoting equality for all,” she wrote. “As such, I reject his award.”

Grace, 17, said she was honoured to be considered a worthy recipient but believed Mr Goodenough’s actions undermined the integrity of the award.

“Mr Goodenough publicly voted No for the same-sex marriage postal vote and to me this does not reflect the positive beliefs of valuing diversity, inclusivity and most especially equality,” she said. “There are students at our school, my friends, who have a very wonderful and positive future ahead of them in same-sex relationships. I will not accept a community award sponsored by a person who will not allow them to marry in the future.”

The Hillarys teen also urged the school to consider dropping Mr Goodenough as an award sponsor.

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Mr Goodenough, who was not present at last week’s ceremony, said he supported Grace’s right to decline the award because of her beliefs.

“I’m OK with that if she feels strongly the other way,” he said.

“Not everybody will agree with me on social issues.

“It’s a divisive issue. There are people on both sides of the argument, so there are probably close to half the electorate that think the other way.”

The member for Moore said he sponsored awards at about 40 schools across the electorate.

“We ask the school to nominate the category and the student, and then we get the award printed,” he said.