Victorian Liberals face criticism as accusations of homophobia continue

Victorian Liberals face criticism as accusations of homophobia continue

THE Victorian Liberal Party has continued to face accusations of homophobia this week over Attorney-General Robert Clark’s association with the World Congress of Families conference later this month, and the resignation of candidate Aaron Lane over homophobic social media posts.

Clark has been repeatedly criticised by LGBTI advocates and politicians from other state parties over his plans to give a “Welcome to Victoria” address to open the World Congress of Families regional conference in Melbourne later this month.

The WCF is a conservative Christian organisation known for its opposition to same-sex marriage and trans* rights, and for its support of Russia’s homophobic “gay propaganda” laws.

Opposition spokesperson on LGBTI issues Martin Foley blasted the party during question time on Tuesday after praising Victoria Police for their apology earlier this week for the infamous 1994 Tasty raid.

“On 30 August, we will see the chief law officer of this state open a conference for and welcome to Victoria one of the most hateful, extreme groups that regards, in particular, LGBTI communities as abhorrent,” Foley said.

“They (the Liberal Party) have forgotten those Victorians on the margins. They have forgotten Victorians whose sexuality and gender identity place them beyond the mainstream, and they are run by an anti-gay, anti-lesbian hate faction that controls their destiny.”

Foley also specifically criticised the government’s 2011 amendments to the state’s Equal Opportunity Act to expand exemptions for religious organisations to discriminate against many LGBTI people.

Other high-profile political speakers at the WCF conference will be Federal Minister for Social Services Kevin Andrews, Victorian upper house member and anti-abortion campaigner Bernie Finn, and NSW MP and long-time anti-gay rights campaigner Fred Nile. Federal Employment Minister Eric Abetz and Federal Senator Cory Bernardi are also listed as supporters of the WCF.

The Victorian Greens have also slammed the Liberal Party over its involvement in the WCF conference, and over the resignation of Lane and another candidate Jack Lyons for offensive social media posts, with a number of candidates signing a pledge against homophobia in response.

“It’s unacceptable that today, homophobia and discrimination are still rife in the Liberal party,” said Greens Melbourne electorate candidate Ellen Sandell.

“Their policies show it, their candidates say it and their actions confirm it.”

Although the Victorian Liberal Party was heavily criticised over homophobic comments revealed on Lane’s Twitter account, Premier Denis Napthine swiftly called for his resignation and he stepped down as a candidate for the upcoming November election.

This week Foley also put a number of resolutions on notice for debate calling on parliament to condemn the Clark, Finn, Lane and Lyons.

The Star Observer contacted the Attorney-General for a response to the criticisms of his involvement at the WCF conference, but did not receive a reply before the time of publication.

Prahran state Liberal MP Clem Newton-Brown reiterated the importance of distinguishing free speech from the incitement of hatred in relation to the conference.

“I hope and expect that the free speech being exercised at this conference will not incite hatred towards the LGBTI community,” he told the Star Observer.

“No one in Victoria has the right to use any forum to incite hatred towards any sector of the community.”

Newton-Brown also defended his party’s record on LGBTI issues, citing the government’s plans to allow for the expungement of historical gay sex convictions and to amend the state’s Crimes Act to remove discrimination against people living with HIV in section 19A.

The WCF conference has been in the spotlight this week over comments made by Senator Abetz appearing to support the views of a conference speaker linking abortion to breast cancer. Abetz has since denied he personally agrees with the view.

You May Also Like

3 responses to “Victorian Liberals face criticism as accusations of homophobia continue”

  1. What a total joke the Liberal Party really are in 2014!

    Expunging of gay sex criminal records was promised and as per usual no legislation or bill has been drafted as yet!

    Oh that’s right an Election is coming up in November – I forgot!

    Also in Victoria adoption equality also needs to happen, but I know it will only happen under a Labor Party Government!

    A few facts:
    VIC, SA, NT and QLD only still ban gay couples from adopting children in 2014! Surrogacy is banned for gay couples only in WA and SA! Only SA bans single women and lesbians from IVF treatment! SA and QLD only still have the “gay panic defence”!

    Both VIC and SA are “reviewing” there adoption laws at the moment!

  2. Clem Newton-Brown might well look at Robert Clarks cruel history telling parliament we are worse then cancer, we molestor children more, and that homosexuality is a destructive lifestyle choice. I am not sure the language could not be more inciteful and loaded with hate. Perhaps if he told parliament Hitler should have killed more of us, it just might be one the very worst. But honestly, I would’nt have been surprised if he said that also. I have just had Victims of Crime, at the magistrates court, and despite receiving some money, or a token from the community as the magistrate said, I am still out of pocket 3,000. I never ever thought I would have someone yelling fucking homo and on top of me, at my house, trying kill me. I had the inside and outside of my house vandalised. It only takes one nutjob to believe the credibility Robert Clark is giving a group of fundamentalist who are trying to bring our lives harm, and then you to could have the same gruelling experience I had.

    Things are changing, but it is not exactly an equal world. It is just immensely disappointing to see the man in charge of the equal opportunity act, supporting a culture that leads to violence and death, a culture that in my case, if I am to take into account the sixteen police, the hospital, the courts time, let alone that of my family, would easily go above 200,000. I am guessing homophobia would easily cost tax layers over a billion a year. Adding up the prison sentences, the court costs, the policing, the cost to health, and the cost families.

    I hear there will be a dinner at parliament no less, for these people who promote the Russian hate laws. You will understand that I and others, feel a bit sick of all this support that is being given to those who bring us harm.

    Argue about free speech, but to me it just looks like a party in the middle of another hate crime against GLBTI Australians. It is disappointing a premiere can go to Midsummor, have a rainbow on his office window, yet allow a Minister to use his public office to group that genuinely seeks to make our life hard.

  3. Tony Abbott may yet live to regret his decision not to stand by his Senate leader with his ‘sheepish’ ‘slap down’ comments. Abbott seems to have forgotten that it’s primarily due to the support of Abetz and Minchin that he holds he office he now does. Dumb move Tony, pissing off the Conservative Right of your own Party.