Anti-civil union candidate behind
The ALP should hold on to the Queensland state seat of South Brisbane, with Jackie Trad (pictured) declaring herself the likely winner of Saturday’s by-election to decide who takes over former premier Anna Bligh’s old electorate.
Trad was leading Liberal National Party (LNP) opponent Clem Greham 52.85 percent to 47.15 percent on a notional two-candidate result at time of print.
The Electoral Commission of Queensland hasn’t confirmed Trad as the winner, but Labor leader Annastacia Palaszczuk said the LNP would need to secure an unlikely 75 percent of mostly uncounted postal votes to win.
Greham last week ignored calls from concerned locals, declaring he would support the repeal of Queensland’s civil union laws.
He tried to justify his position on civil unions with the claim he once “lived with two homosexuals” in the United States.
Trad said such a response indicated the LNP’s complete ignorance and disrespect for LGBTI issues.
“The LGBTI community is such an important and valued part of South Brisbane’s history and it’s a great shame my LNP opponent refuses to recognise their rights,” she said.
“Having grown up in South Brisbane, I’m proud of our diversity and, if elected, I pledge to champion progressive issues in state Parliament.”
Trad said she not only supports civil unions, but also fought for changes to the ALP platform in favour of same-sex marriage.
“I support equality before the law for people in same-sex relationships at a state level and will fight [Premier] Campbell Newman’s bid to repeal civil unions legislation, every step of the way,” she said.
“This community needs a local member who will fight for all of its residents as Mr Newman’s massive majority seeks to take rights away.”
Trad has been appointed Opposition spokeswoman for transport, environment and the arts despite the by-election count still continuing.
it does need to be pointed out that the LNP candidate actually received more first preference votes than the ALP and that the ALP is leading on the back of Greens preferences . The greens actually got about 20% of the first preferences. The greens stand proudly in support marriage equity.
We need someone to form a fiscally conservative political party sans the creepy religious agenda. The country needs a fiscally responsible alternative to the two main parties, the only one that can actually manage money (LNP) is busy trying to govern what happens in their constituents bedrooms.
The contradictions of advocating a ‘free’ economy and ‘free’ of government control but in the same sentence pushing a creepy solical control agenda are absolutely astounding. Are people still that stupid?
The LNP are pathetic school yard bullies, running up to people and snatching their Civil Union Certificates, chanting “You can’t have one!”