Labor takes on Prime Minister
A South Australian Labor MP has broken party ranks on gay marriage and called on Prime Minister Kevin Rudd to engage in debate on marriage equality.
Hot on the heels of a poll which suggests most Australians would support same-sex marriage, state upper house MP Ian Hunter addressed South Australian Parliament last week in a speech giving his position on the issue.
Hunter spoke of his partner of almost 20 years, Leith Semmens, and his desire to marry him.
I want to get married -” and you, Mr Rudd, are stopping me, he said in Parliament.
Galaxy poll findings released last week by Greens Senator Bob Brown and lobby group Australian Marriage Equality indicated 60 percent of Australians are in favour of same-sex marriage.
I am no longer content to accept the crumbs from the table… I am no longer prepared to accept a proposition that my married friends’ relationships are intrinsically superior to my relationship; and I certainly won’t accept the proposal that means my relationship is registered at the local council or some similar body. he said.
Hunter told the Star he’d been working on a draft speech for some time and it was his first opportunity to have his say.
I’m hopeful as debate mounts that others in Parliament will change their minds as they start to hear some of the personal stories and how it impacts on our lives, he said.
There is something about having a celebration and making those public vows to each other. I think it’s very important in my life and I’d like to be able to do it.
Wary of a federal civil union scheme, Hunter said he is firmly positioned on marriage rights for same-sex couples.
If civil unions were available to gay and straight, and [couples] were allowed to have a celebrant and conduct a ceremony just like everybody else who doesn’t get married in a church, then I’d look at it.
What I don’t want is separate but equal. I don’t want marriage for straights and -˜you gays can have civil unions’. I want something everyone can have.
Hunter will not attend the ALP national conference in Sydney next month. Apart from rallying close colleagues, this is the first time he’s made a public stand in his current position.
WE MUST NOT DEMEAN MARRIAGE.SINCE CIVILIZATION BEGAN MAN AND WOMAN HAVE BEEN THE BASIS OF IT IN ALL CULTURES AND NATIONALITIES. GAY IS NOT THE RIGHT NAME FOR THE SITUATION THEY LIVE IN, MORE LIKE PATHETIC.THEIR PROPOSED UNION DOES NOTHING FOR OUR SPECIES. THEY LIVE SELFISHLY FOR THEMSELVES AND NOW WANT TO SHARE THE BENEFITS OF A WHOLESOME LIFE. I AM NOW 55 YEARS MARRIED AND HAVE 5 CHILDEREN FOR MY COUNTRY AND I DISLIKE THE IDEA OF BEING TARRED WITH A WORD WHICH WOULD HAVE A NEW MEANING IF CHANGES ARE MADE.
Gay marriage is always a hot topic.
In most cases people who see gay marriage as a “threat to marriage” – are the very same individuals with their own marriage problems!!!!!!
Editor’s Note: I am curious as to what your source is Paul? I haven’t seen any report showing any such trend. Can you point us in the right direction? We’d be very keen to see it.
This Guy looks Hot!
I just passed this law recently:
MARRIAGE BAN FOR HYPOCRITES ACT 2009
(i) -œany public employee of Australia (Labor or Liberal) shall have there marriage null and void if any of the following is done:
(a) lie to the public;
(b) be a hyprocrical bigoted moron or act like a bigot with hateful, vilifying or embarrasing intentions;
(c) cheat on someone or have an affair with another person, secret or not secret, or;
(d) say that marriage is between people of the opposite sex consisting of a man and a woman as husband and wife, to the exclusion of all others to -œprotect the insitution of marriage without a reason, logic, knowledge, back-up, justifying their silly or incedious claims.
Passed: 25/6/2009 07:19am
Signed: 27/6/2009 08:00pm
Effective: Once signed.
BOB BROWN HE IS THE COOLEST!!!! The Greens will introduce the MARRIAGE EQUALITY AMENDMENT BILL 2009 into the Senate on Thursday.
who do you suggest we vote for Steve?
Kevin Rudd is a disgrace and should hang his head in shame for not letting us get married – I KNOW WHO TO VOTE FOR IN 2010 NOW!!!!!