Astbury sides with Labor

The man who was once TV legend Graham Kennedy’s lover has thrown his support behind Kevin Rudd at the upcoming federal election.
Rob Astbury, who lives in Thailand, said he could no longer stomach the Howard government’s refusal to recognise same-sex relationships as equal to heterosexual relationships.
He said it would be his first time ever voting for Labor.
“You have to live away from Australia to fully appreciate the extent of the discrimination against gays and lesbians by the federal Howard government,” Astbury said.
“No matter how successful or respected gay or lesbian people are in Australia, thousands are forced to hide their sexuality. This stems from the stigma in the wider community which is promoted through the lack of equal legal rights.
“The Howard government is arrogant and out of touch. If previously conservative countries like England can introduce equal rights laws, why is Australia still in the dark ages blatantly fostering discrimination?”
Astbury said he was also appalled by the Federal government reneging on its promise to provide equal superannuation benefits to same-sex couples.
“The Liberals broke their promise by delaying indefinitely new provisions for superannuation, and cannot be trusted,” he said in a statement.
Astbury gained notoriety after he wrote a tell-all book about his relationship with Kennedy after the TV star’s death.