Vic Liberal stands up for marriage
Newly-elected Prahran MP Clem Newton-Brown has called for marriage equality in his maiden parliamentary speech.
It’s understood to be the first time a Liberal member of Parliament — federal or state — has used the inaugural speech to advocate for same-sex marriage.
In his address yesterday afternoon, Newton-Brown paid tribute to the “diverse” electorate of Prahran and said strengthening families of all kinds can have positive implications.
“It is important to remember that in modern society families are no longer simply a man, a woman and their kids,” he said.
“Families come in an endless range of permutations.
“While the Marriage Act is a piece of federal legislation, I hope that some time during my service in this house that we will provide in-principle support for our federal counterparts to find a way to amend the Marriage Act to become more fair, more equitable, and more just, such that the wonderful diversity of our community is accommodated in our social institutions.”
Calls of “hear, hear” were heard from both sides of the house following Newton-Brown’s remarks.
Newton-Brown also confirmed to the Star Observer that he was calling for the introduction of same-sex marriage.
“I am on record as being supportive of same-sex marriage, and it is my hope that the Gillard Government moves to change the legislation to allow it,” he said.
The Prahran MP also committed to make sure “unchecked” high-rise property development in the area would have greater local input and paid tribute to his wife and three children for supporting his election campaign.
Clem Newton-Brown? see https://starobserver.com.au/news/2011/06/07/prahran-mp-accused-of-betrayal/54004
Met this guy a couple of weeks ago – wish I’d been nicer to him now ! I made assumptions based on his name & being a Liberal another reminder not to assign “labels” so readily. The legislation will be changed, its just a question of when ….. ?
Well Ho Hum … what more could you expect from a newly-elected MP representing such a ‘ diverse ‘ ( read gay ) electorate. A little bit of ‘ posing ‘ goes such a long way, and his expressed views won’t matter at all unless there is a conscience vote … hardly likely in a Fiberal Government !!
Of course he is now in opposition to the clearly stated party policies and his colleagues ( including his leader ) who are currently in the process of increasing discrimination against the LGBTIQ community, not ‘ cuddling-up ‘!!!
Under Labor religious schools could publish newsletters calling on the mass murder of homosexuals, all with our taxes to pay for it. Prime Minister was informed of this and approved of this as the then education Minister. I strongly oppose Labor or Liberal funding religious businesses, who discriminate. It is public resources, taxes, given to exclude vast sections of the community.
http://news.ninemsn.com.au/national/838308/school-published-gay-massacre-demand-letter
I think we do need to support candidates and politicians who advocate for change within the Liberal or Labor Parties. There are many religious businesses that are strongly against the discrimination of people, and those who advocate against the Civil Rights of others.
We must also get behind people that believe in a Fair Go and political parties that do not believe in the vilification of citizens such as the Greens, the Sex Party, The democrats and others.
There are some people in all parties who believe in a Fair Go.
Pity Clem is in the wrong PARTY
SEE Age Sun13/02/11
re the LIBERALS changing the ANTI DISCRIMINATION laws to suit the CHristians
Religious groups to regain bias rights Melissa Fyfe
February 13, 2011
.THE Baillieu government is preparing to restore unlimited rights to religious organisations to discriminate against gays and lesbians, single mothers and people who hold different spiritual beliefs.
Attorney-General Robert Clark is drawing up amendments, to be introduced to Parliament in May or June, to curb Victoria’s anti-discrimination laws as part of the Coalition’s election promises to conservative religious groups.
The amendments will scrap Labor’s reforms, which take effect in August, that give wider investigative powers to the Victorian Equal Opportunity and Human Rights Commission and restrict the rights of faith-based organisations to refuse employment and services to people they believe may undermine their beliefs.
Advertisement: Story continues below Under the Labor reforms, for instance, a religious welfare agency that refuses to serve a same-sex couple must prove how this action conformed to its faith, or a Catholic school that refused to employ a single mother as a receptionist must show why the job was important to following the school’s faith.
WOW for once a Liberal who is well just that – Liberal!!!!
Wake-up to yourselfs you other politicans, it is 2011 for f**k sake!!!!!!
Clem Newton-Brown is a wonderful man.
It’s great to see politicians standing up for themselves and what is right. Not just toeing the party line (like Penny Wong).
“…freedom from unwarranted infringement by governments…”
Ahh, who do you think issues marriage licenses? Ikea?
I am glad Clem Newton-Brown has taken a leadership role in the battle to give Civil Rights to all Australians. History will judge that he saw a wrong and tried to right it, he saw pain and tried to heal it.
We all have Civil Rights. Civil and political rights are a class of rights that protect individuals’ freedom from unwarranted infringement by governments and private organizations, and ensure one’s ability to participate in the civil and political life of the state without discrimination or repression.
Although there is much work to do within the Liberal Party, and he will have his work to do, it is good to see a politician in a conservative government who is prepared to champion the rights of all people in his electorate, and give them a Fair Go.