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."
The ALP 'relationship' Policy now appears to state:
- Labor supports the enactment of legislation prohibiting discrimination on the basis of a person's sexual orientation or gender status, and the removal of such discrimination from Commonwealth legislation.
- Labor believes that people are entitled to respect, equality, dignity and the opportunity to participate in society free of hated or harassment and receive the protection of the law regardless of their sexuality or gender identity.
- Consistent with this belief, in 2007 Labor audited Commonwealth laws to identify discrimination against same sex couples. In 2008, laws were passed to remove discrimination from 84 pieces of Commonwealth legislation.
- Labor will ensure that all couples whether married or de facto do not suffer discrimination.
-
Labor will take action to ensure the development of a nationally consistent framework that provides:
- The opportunity for all couples who have a mutual commitment to a shared life to have their relationship officially recognised.
- Equal rights for all couples in federal and state laws.
- Labor will review relationship recognition arrangements to ensure national consistency.
- These reforms are to be implemented consistently with Labor's commitment to maintaining the definition of marriage as currently set out in the Marriage Act."
Comment
How can Labor say they will 'remove all discrimination from Commonwealth legislation' when the 'Marriage Act', a federal law, directly discriminates against same-sex and other relationships outside of 'a man and a woman'?
Removing direct support for 'Relationship Registers' makes room to accommodate the already existing ACT 'Civil Partnerships' that Jon Stanhope pushed through last year.
While a 'federal' Civil Union appears to be ruled out for the time being, there is now room for a State or Territory to up the ante and bring in a 'Civil Union' Bill.
No real difference, but the perception by some people is they mimic marriage and with the words "mimic marriage' out of the way that cannot be used by Rudd to oppose such a move.
With the possibility of an election this year Mr Rudd could not afford to lose the support of 'middle ground' Christian supporters. Rudd knows their continued support, effectively garnered at the last election, would certainly help him win, and he wants the biggest win possible to hang on to the leadership.
With an opposition still in disarray and offering little as an alternative, this would be a good time for Mr Rudd to call an election!
History shows that NO 'left leaning' Liberal Party has ever won an election and Mr Rudd knows that that is exactly what we have at the moment.
With the current political climate, we believe he will certainly win regardless of whether he calls an election now or waits until next year.
All in all, the nation moved closer to the day when same-sex marriage becomes a reality.
(Bold emphasis is ours) |
