Gay community loses a strong political ally
The gay and lesbian community has lost one of its staunchest Liberal Party allies.
Environmentalism, an understanding of gay and lesbian issues and a commitment to republicanism: Australia’s most unlikely Liberal, Malcolm Turnbull, today announced his decision not to contest the seat of Wentworth at the upcoming federal election.
Turnbull thanked his staffers and the voters who had shown their support over his five and a half year stint in the seat, and made a thinly veiled reference to the Liberal Party’s stance on carbon emissions as a reason for his decision.
“As a Member of Parliament, a Minister and especially as leader of the Party I have been proud to defend the principles of freedom, opportunity and enterprise, fundamental values of the Liberal Party,” he said before thanking former prime minister John Howard for appointing him Environment and Water Minister.
“However, I regret that an important reform begun in that time, the establishment of an emissions trading scheme, is no longer Liberal Party policy.
“When I ceased to be leader of the Opposition at the end of last year I resolved that I would not precipitate a by-election by resigning from Parliament. However, I did say that I would reflect carefully.
“A decision like this is a very personal and heartfelt one, which can only be made by me and my family.”
Turnbull was arguably the strongest voice for moderate Liberals. He was defiantly pro-choice on abortion matters and was a supporter of the gay and lesbian equality movement. Though he never offered unequivocal support for same-sex marriage, he stood up to Christian conservatives over their views on same-sex de facto rights.
Rory:-
Kerryn Phelps would be fantastic representing Wentworth in parliament. And it would be a pay cut for both her and Peter Garrett.
Turnbull a poofter basher? Ridiculous and offensive statement.
“Strong political ally,” my arse. He stood by the homophobic ban on marriage equality. That’s not an ally; that’s a poofter-basher.
Kerryn Phelps in the ALP? Well, she spoke vehemently in favour of marriage equality at a rally a few years ago. Unless she wants to do a Peter Garrett and earn herself a bit of money by sacrificing her principles, she’ll give Kevin and his mob a very wide berth.
I hope Abbott is stupid enough to select a social conservative as the Liberal candidate for Wentworth. If the Coalition loses Wentworth, they don’t have much hope elsewhere.
He supported the removal of a large number of areas of discrimination. Prior to Malcolm becoming opposition leader, that legislation was stalled in the Senate, with no guarantee of being passed any time soon.
How was he an ally? He was against Same Sex marriage and Same Sex adoption, two major points of descrimination! He actively and openly desciminated against us.
I have heard a rumour that former high-profile AMA president Kerryn Phelps has emerged as Labor’s favoured star candidate for the now marginal seat of Wentworth at the next election. Kerryn Phelps is a lesbian and Wentworth has the highest number of same-sex couples in the country.
What has Malcolm Turnbull done legislatively to enhance the rights of gays ?
That’s right he has sat on his “cross stitching” and done nothing.
I wish Mr Turnbull a very retirement.
Sad to see Turnbull go- lets hope Warren Entsch gets back in at the next election and carries the torch on for the Liberals!
Correction.
As Opposition Leader Malcolm Turnbull stated he did not support gay marriage. That said, he was an important voice in the conservative party for lesbian and gay rights and we are the poorer for losing him.
Now, will the Liberals put up a moderate in the seat of Wentworth?
If they don’t, this could the opportunity the community needs to show our votes can swing seats.