Push to hasten gay marriage debate
Marriage equality advocates have criticised Labor's right faction for bringing the parliamentary debate on gay marriage forward.
The right faction, reportedly led by Labor whip Joel Fitzgibbon (pictured), have pushed to bring forward debate on Labor MP Stephen Jones' private member's bill to legalise same-sex marriage on the grounds that it cannot pass parliament and the debate is hurting the party.
Australian Marriage Equality national convener Alex Greenwich said that the bill's defeat was not inevitable.
"Opponents of marriage equality were proven wrong when they said the public would never support it, the Labor Party would never endorse it, and that state parliaments would never uphold it in principle," Greenwich said.
"I believe marriage equality has a sporting chance of passing, because I have seen how quickly seemingly impassable barriers have dissolved in the past."
"Those Labor MPs who are pushing for marriage equality to be promptly debated and defeated are betraying the party grass roots who strongly support reform and want to see it achieved," Greenwich said.
Greenwich accused opponents of reform of "myth-making" and trying to create a "self-fulfilling prophecy".
Responding to Fitzgibbon's claim that his electorate is against reform and that it will "traumatise" some of his elderly constituents, Greenwich pointed to a 2010 Newspoll which found only 33 per cent of Fitzgibbon's constituents oppose marriage equality, while 67 per cent support it or don't care either way.
Greens MP Adam Bandt, who has a separate marriage equality bill before parliament, has vowed to delay debate on his bill until opposition leader Tony Abbott allows a conscience vote for all members of the Coalition.
"It [reform] should be done not just because it's popular but because it is right," Bandt said.
"But I'm optimistic of achieving reform within the life of this Parliament, with some more discussion and more persuasion."
Finance Minister Penny Wong, who has strongly supported marriage equality, said she believed change would eventually come.
"I think the campaign is not going to go away, because ultimately it's a campaign for people's equality," she said.
Meanwhile, former opposition leader Malcolm Turnbull has said in an interview on SkyNews that, although he supports marriage equality in principle, he will be voting against the bill.
"If there was a conscience vote on this issue, subject to the legislation being satisfactory, going through it, I would be more likely to support it than not," he said.
"[...] But the fact is that politics is a team sport, we have decided on our side not to have a conscience vote on this issue. There is a variety of views on that as you know, but we’re not going to have conscience vote on this issue, so I won’t be crossing the floor on this issue."
- Tags: Adam Bandt, Alex Greenwich, Blaze, gay marriage, Joel Fitzgibbon, Malcolm Turnbull, marriage equality, MCV, Penny Wong, Queensland Pride, Same-sex Marriage, Stephen Jones, SX
Comments (10)
Thanks Dave. I'm afraid I've also Dorothy's tornado, and it's gathering in the distance. Let's hope Gillard and Abbott, and all those who oppose freedom, are nothing more than that wizard!
Hi Dave, nice to hear from you again. I put a media release out when I first received the fines, which brought an interview on "QueerNoise". Otherwise, it's been what I can get out online. I may do another media release when I receive a court attendance notice.
Hi Stuart,
It might be an idea to send more out, at each stage the case moves.
I just moved within my country town and waited ages for the internet. I was at a large Catholic Christening a few weeks ago with my husband. Friends said the discussion after we left was the colour of a young girls hair, and nothing about us. The hair colour of the girl was more a novelty then two gay guys. People at the Christening were farmers, tradies, and a mixture of town folk. I guess it shows Gillard and Abbott are simply out of touch with the average person on the street, let alone their local priest. I think I can see the end of the Yellow Brick Road. You would remember the hysteria around homosexuality and AIDS just a few years ago. It seems like another anytime, all the hate and hurt. But I remember it, and glimpse it in the hate of Gillard and Abbott as they shout homosexuals should not be equal. You have more courage than these two Stuart. You are Dorothy’s lion who had a heart.
Well, Joel may be sitting pretty, but if you're thinking of not paying your tax, like me, it's not for the faint-hearted. In addition to nearly $2,000 in fines (all unpaid), I can next expect a "Statement of Claim". I'm given 28 days to settle the matter, or it goes to court. There I'll be liable to further fines, all the court costs and the ATO's legal fees!
Stuart, WHY not pay your way? Tantrums aren't convincing arguments, they just waste time, and your money.
So putting yourself on the line is throwing a Tantrum? Stuart is engaging in peaceful protest, and is a hero doing more then most. History is filled with greats like Milk who engaged in peaceful protest, and is a hero of the modern GLBTI movement.
Dave, I'm prone to tantrums. I hope I don't throw one when I stand for Council and the police arrest me. Wouldn't that be a scene!
Love it Glover! I'm at my best when I'm all fired up! It's mostly others throwing the "tantrums" when telling them of my tax situation. I wish they'd remain dignified!
Hi Stuart,
Have you put out a press release? It might help get some publicity.
Cheers,
Dave
Julia Gillard and Bill Shorten killed Labor. They mutilated the once fiercely progressive party to reflect the hostile social policies of Tony Abbott. There are over 1084 laws that reference the Marriage Act giving rights and protections. I vote Green because Labor does not represent the people, the polls on equality show that, and so did the senate enquiry. They represent Jim Wallace and the Christian Lobby.