Garrett marriage support back on the record

Garrett marriage support back on the record

The Labor Member for Kingsford-Smith, Peter Garrett, is back on the record as a supporter of same-sex marriage after a five years hiatus.

Garrett told ABC TV earlier today, “I don’t see what the major impediments to [same-sex marriage] are. But I recognise that it’s something … that will be determined at the [ALP National] conference.”

Of what precedence the issue would take at the conference, Garrett said, “Let’s not think about whether it has to be right at the centre or whether it comes second or third on the agenda … there are pretty strongly held views … clearly it’s going to be discussed.”

Garrett became the first senior Labor politician to publicly back same-sex marriage in 2006 during an appearance on Channel 10’s late night variety show The Big Night In With John Foreman in a pre-recorded episode aired on December 21.

While being interviewed by Foreman, Garrett referred to himself as a “social conservative,” but when asked if that conservatism extended to the issue of gay marriage, Garrett responded, “I don’t have a problem with it”.

Garrett went on to say that diversity in society needed to be respected and that governments had no place legislating sexual morality, calling attempts by the then US Bush Administration to ban same-sex marriage in the US Constitution “divisive”.

However by the time the interview went to air, Garrett had already been promoted to the frontbench, meaning that he was from then on bound by the ALP party rule of cabinet solidarity which requires that Ministers not publicly contradict party policy.

This was evident in August last year when Garrett’s office issued a statement to the Star Observer in response to questions about his views on same-sex marriage.

“The Minister supports the Government’s position,” the statement read.

In March this year Garrett encouraged residents in Kingsford-Smith to contact him with their views on same-sex marriage in line with the motion by the Greens Adam Bandt calling on MPs to seek their constituents views on the issue that was passed by the Parliament in November last year.

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2 responses to “Garrett marriage support back on the record”

  1. Dave is right … all any ALP politician from Penny to Peter needed to say when asked is “if there was a conscience vote on this issue, I would support it”. This is not the only issue the former 80’s rager has had to dance to a different tune about. “The Time Has Come … to say Fair’s Fair …”