Bill Shorten: let’s turn our disappointment into determination to win
Image: Bill Shorten (PHOTO: Coal Photography; Star Observer)
Opposition leader Bill Shorten has said he will be at the frontline of the fight for marriage equality when the postal survey ballots are sent out next week on Tuesday.
Shorten also commended the advocates who challenged the survey in the High Court this week, but unfortunately lost both cases.
“I want to pay tribute to the advocates who fought the good fight in the High Court – courageous people standing up for all LGBTI Australian,” he said in a release.
“I understand a lot of people will be disappointed, I share your disappointment.
“But now it’s time to turn our disappointment into determination – determination to win.
“If the survey is happening, we must win it.”
Shorten also urged all Australians to call their relatives, tell their friends, and ensure everyone knows they’re voting “yes” for equality.
“And I won’t be sitting on the sidelines – I’ll be on the frontline for this fight,” he said.
“You’ll see Labor members and supporters on street corners, in shopping centres, at train stations – making the case for equality, standing up for the fair go.
“And I give LGBTI Australians a simple promise: when we hear discriminatory nonsense, we will condemn it.
“When we see people talking rubbish about unrelated issues, we will call them out.
“We’re voting yes because of you. Because it’s not you who has to change, it’s our laws. Because so long as there is a Labor party, you are never on your own.”
Australian Marriage Equality have now also released a new “yes” ad encouraging people to vote.
I am always suspicious when Mr Flip-Flop Bill Shorten comes out in support of anything. Let’s face it, Bill has not got a very good record for Loyalty has he?
Bill was the very Senior ALP Politician in Canberra when the ALP was in Government between 2007-2013.
Twice during that time Bill very publicly and repeatedly stated:
“The Prime Minister has MY FULL SUPPORT”
The first time was when Kevin Rudd was PM and then Bill stabbed him in the back.
The second time was when Rudd’s replacement, Julia Gillard, whom Bill was very largely responsible for getting her the job as PM, and Bill stabbed her as well.
The sole reason Bill is saying what he is now is because he is a Political Opportunist and sees Votes for himself and the ALP in it. Just wait until the 2019 Federal Election Campaign and Bill will use this to get Votes and nothing more.
The danger for Bill is that, whether he likes it or not, there are still a lot of ALP Voters who are every bit as vehemently opposed to Equality and the GLTBIQ Community as the Liberals/Nationals Tony Abbott, Erich Abetz, Kevin Andrews and the likes of SA’s Cory Bernardi and other riff-raff!
Hi Robert
Julia jumped because she could see the writing on the wall, nobody stabbed her. She was keen for Greg Combet to succeed her and not Rudd but she knew she wasn’t staying on in the job.
Bill Shorten did get rid of Tony Abbott though, so in that sense he was responsible for two Prime Ministerial changes.
Can you name any mainstream politicical leaders to whom the term “opportunist” could not be used? I can’t. It’s a thin criticism to have. As you note in your post, there are Labor voters who oppose marriage equality but Bill is principled enough to hold his ground despite this. Is that bad? It’s a hell of a lot better than Turnbull who caved on the plebiscite and hasn’t stopped doing so now it’s a postal survey. Even the much beloved Barrack Obama had a history of opposing marriage equality for many years before coming around on the issue.
Of course, both the Labor and Liberal parties rely more on what they see as pragmatism than principle, and although many people are disappointed by this it turns out it’s the best system we’re going to have. Shorten is quite capable of being disappointing just like any other mainstream political leader but he’s less populist than Latham, readier for the top job than Beazley, he’s more ‘in touch’ than Rudd and he’s less likely to put folks off than Gillard or Albo. Is any of that saying much? Probably not. But it’s why he’s the opposition leader who’s leading in the polls on the most important question of voting intention (‘preferred PM’ is a meaningless measurement when it comes to election outcomes).
Cheers
Bill Shorten voted for marriage equality in 2012 and he has staked out, loud and proud, that marriage equality will happen within 100 days of becoming Prime Minister.
That’s what the LGBT need.
If you want to help the Yes campaign in your local area but don’t know where to start, your local Labor MP or Senator’s office is the go. That said, I’m sure the Greens are similarly on board, I’m sure that AME is also a great contact point.
Disclaimer: I’m not an ALP member or employee but I was one over a decade ago.