QLD ALP backs marriage
The Queensland ALP State Conference has passed a motion calling on both the Federal Labor Party and ALP National Conference to support same-sex marriage.
Prominent Government ministers from the sunshine state supported and spoke in favour of the motion, including Treasurer Andrew Fraser and Community Services Minister Karen Struthers.
Similar motions have already been passed in Tasmania, South Australia, and a motion in support of marriage equality still stands in Victoria.
The ALP Women’s network also recently passed a motion of support for marriage equality.
Australian Marriage Equality national convenor Alex Greenwich welcomed the result.
“Momentum continues to build towards the decision that most Australians want the ALP National Conference to deliver in December in favour of full marriage equality,” he said.
Last year Queensland Premier Anna Bligh came out in support for same-sex marriage, while polling has found 66 percent of Queenslanders support marriage equality, as do 74 percent of ALP voters. As well, 75 percent of Queensland residents expect same-sex marriage will become law in Australia.
Greenwich declared the passing of this motion a win for the ALP rank and file.
“This decision is a victory for the many grass roots supporters of marriage equality in the Labor Party … not only has this conference delivered a win for the majority of ALP voters who support equality, but for the majority of Australians who also support this reform, he said.
Greenwich believes the motion indicates the ALP is getting back to its roots.
“The Queensland branch of the ALP are leading the way in listening to the electorate and their membership on this issue,” he said.
First the floods … now marriage equality … the QLD Premier continues to impress … wonder if she’s ever considered being top dog … Anna Bligh for PM?
Keep the pressure on your local ALP pollies and their supporters – marriage equality is not a done deal, even with state ALP conference outcomes. The head and shoulders of the Labor Party is against same sex marriage, make no mistake. If they can find a loophole to get out of it, they will. Write to your local ALP members (or a letter to your local newspaper, naming them) and demand they attend the ALP national conference and vote in favour of same sex marriage in December. You’ll get a reaction, I guarantee! We are not going to get this legislation passed by sitting pretty on promises from Queensland!
This is welcome news.
It will take just a day in Federal Parliament to end all forms of discrimination and oppression in Australia against GLBTI people. There are just a few acts of Parliament that are referenced by thousands of others.
Federal Labor has the numbers, the Greens are yearning for these freedoms for us and they have control of the Upper House.
Isn’t Gillard going to look stupid – she will be defending the institution of marriage against us gays until the end.
And she will be sitting alone. She is the laughing stock of Australia now.
Game on Mole!
This is truly amazing. I’m still trying to get used to our new found acceptability. When I was a young man, I would have been jailed for homosexuality if caught with my partner, let alone refused a marriage licence. However, I was very fortunate never to have been rejected by friends or family in those frightening days.
Once the last barrier to full equality has been overturned, we would do well not to forget that we will always remain a minority, and to heed the admonition of the RSL – “The price of freedom is eternal vigilance”.
Careful folks, it’s not over till the first lady sings!
Good move Anna and Queensland ALP.
Let’s give those NLP, sheep-dip sippers a big kick up the shit-shute.
We also want to draw to their attention, that this electorate of Ashgrove is heavily populated by Gay’s and Lesbians.