Marriage showdown in 2012
The Labor Party’s loose collective of GLBTI members is confident same-sex couples will earn greater relationship recognition at the party’s next conference.
While Rainbow Labor failed to get everything it wanted at the three-day national conference, by playing by the rules senior figures in the faction believe the stage is set for a fairer marriage equality policy at the 2012 conference.
The GLBTI policy compromise -” which saw no movement on marriage or civil unions, but a Government undertaking to review relationship recognition for same-sex couples -” was the most contentious of the three-day conference.
Members of the party’s right faction were marched off the conference floor an hour before the amendment was to be introduced and ordered to pull their heads in and agree to the deal.
After 30 minutes of debate the right faction agreed and no public debate took place. Many from the left were disappointed they had been effectively gagged.
Senator Louise Pratt said many delegates -” from both left and right factions -” wanted to use the conference to speak in favour of relationship equality, but agreed progress had been made.
We should not be stigmatising families and I am pleased that we are removing from the platform the words that define marriage as between a man and a woman, she said. Why should children of same-sex parents have to grow up knowing that their family is viewed as a second class family?
Pratt was the group’s most prominent player, but is not its leader. It has no leader or factional alignment, which meant members could advocate for gay rights advances within their own groups.
For the first time the group included influential members of the party’s right faction, such as climate change minister Senator Penny Wong.
In a significant shift, the ALP added the sexual and reproductive health needs of the gay and gender diverse communities to its platform -” the party’s central policy document -” for the first time. The move could pave the way for federal research grants into GLBTI health issues.
It will now be easier for organisations like ACON to make a case for increased GLBT health, ACON CEO Stevie Clayton said.
This means more opportunities for us to seek funding to reduce the impact that alcohol and other drugs have on our community, to meet the growing demand for our counselling and mental health services and to improve our programs for lesbians and other same-sex attracted women.
Andy further “what strategy”…
Looking in NSW to past success, we will need to work on supporters in the Opposition.
In NSW, Liberal leader Chikarovski went quietly along with Carr’s recognition of de facto’s…and Brogden actually supported an equal age of consent.
The appalling David Clarke hasn’t destroyed all the progressives, yet.
Malcolm Turnbull should be tested on his position (and bloody hell, let’s hope Abbott doesn’t get the leadership).
The Greens will control the Senate after the next election.
We need to test their position on how far they will go to block legislation unless the Government moves.
The broader community needs to be engaged – some churches support us.
Let’s get out of 2010/2037 and take our concerns to the suburbs, to the regions…to the Country Women’s Association.
It’ll be a long battle, a sustained effort is needed, don’t use it all blogging, get active and engaged!
I agree with David.
Superannuation discrimination does still exist in Australia- especially after you retire when you & your partner are even more vulnerable.
Rudd only removed discrimination for govt funds- but most Australian workers are employed in the private sector where discrimination still exists.
Even the head of the private super industry group has said that it’s member funds “can’t afford” to pay out post-retirement super pensions to gay couples when one dies.
It is ridiculous, as it’s actualy our money! It’s just that in the past & foreseeable future they can make “cream” profit by pocketing our money for themselves.
There are two options to fix up this mess-
1. remove ALL discrimination agains gays, or
2. bring in a Bill of Rights, so that the private super funds can be challenged in court on a case by case basis. A Bill of Rights push has been forward by the Greens (but, the Australian Christian Lobby are already on to this one, with thier website littered with campaigns to stop any bill of rights from getting off the ground- yet another thing they can also hammer home to Rudd when he is their key note speaker at their gay-hate conference)
“…o there is still a hell of lot discrimination still out there…” that can only be overcome by changing the Marriage Act to include same-sex couples.
Merlot,
The only superannuation laws that Rudd changed were those that relate to C’wealth public servants; private superannuantion companies are still free to discriminate.
The other law changes apply only to C’wealth laws so there is still a hell of lot discrimination still out there.
Correction folks.
LifeLine does not discriminate!
Cheers,
Dave
Merlot,
I have done reading and talking to people such as Superannuation Trustees. These are people that choose where your super goes if you die. They can accept if you have a relationship, or choose not to. With no marriage certificate, they lean towards giving our loved ones a hard time.
We have defacto status when it comes to our super. This means it is up to us to prove our relationship. Currently many defacto couples have problems with this. This is very very wrong.It gives Supper Trustee the power to make life hard at a difficult time. Trustees have proven they do not mind doing this to members of our community.
Further we have no Federal Equal Opportunity Protection. It is still legal for the Federal Government, or a Federal Award, to discriminate against us. I should know as my partner was subject to this in medicine. We all know what a wonderful new AMA President we now have! What Darling he turned out to be.
When given the chance to discriminate Rudd has taken it. We can only judge him by what he does. Now what is he promising for the next election? Nothing but some Health Funding. What is he doing? Going to Hate Groups such the Australian Christian Lobby, helping them promote all sorts of lies about us. Having lost my first great love to gay bashers, I have seen the results of such Hate groups first hand.
Yes Rudd has changed some laws, although this was the left faction of the ALP forcing him.They are only 45percent of the Party. When given the opportunity to hate us, Rudd does it oh so bloody well my dear.
Note: The Federally funded Beyond Blue’s President likens us to child sex offenders, so LifeLine offers a much better service that does discriminate.