What really happened regarding the push for same-sex marriage?
4 August 2009
Despite the spin of Labor and some commentators to try and put a positive note on the conference outcome regarding marriage, things are not as good as one might think.
Mr Rudd stated at the start of the conference he did not want any changes to Labor's position on relationship recognition, but clearly recognised cosmetic changes could be required to stave off the major push being mounted by homosexual activists and their supporters within the Party and outside.
Although the resultant changes might look 'cosmetic', they are far from it in reality
The implication once again is that, while a leader may hold a certain position, there are no guarantees they will get what they want.
Senior Cabinet Minister, Anthony Albanese, is reported as saying 'it was a compromise that would satisfy no one, but the status quo [Rudd's favoured position] of relationship recognition had failed.'
He also said the compromise brought the issue forward and the debate would continue until gay and lesbian Australians had full equality.
"Labor values are that all people are born equal regardless of their sexuality" he said.
In fact, the new ALP policy on same-sex 'relationships' now leaves a lot to be desired:
Three important things were REMOVED from the platform last Saturday
• The statement that Labor believes 'Marriage is between a man & a woman' has GONE.
• The words 'Relationship Registers' have been removed - the policy now talks of a 'national framework' and a review of 'relationship recognition arrangements' to make them consistent across Australia'.
• The words "not mimic marriage" were removed in relation to those 'acceptable other forms of legal recognition'.
In addition, the Conference passed a motion that supports IVF for lesbians - the motion said Labor "formally opposes state laws that discriminate against lesbian, single and unmarried women in access to reproductive technologies such as IVF."
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