Report: Labor needs to support gay marriage
Leaked details of the Australian Labor Party’s internal review have called for the party to support gay marriage and to show greater leadership on climate change to win back votes lost at the last federal election.
According to The Australian newspaper, the ALP’s 2010 National Review — conducted by former premiers Bob Carr (NSW) and Steve Bracks (Victoria), and Senator John Faulkner — has made a series of recommendations including supporting gay marriage as a strategy to win back the party’s progressive credentials.
“In particular, [the report] argues that Labor must develop a specific strategy to target voters lost to the Greens by advocating action on climate change and support for gay marriage, and to improve communication of Labor’s ‘history of successful progressive reform’ in targeted seats,” The Australian reported.
The review was commissioned by the ALP’s national executive last September following Labor’s federal election near loss and to help rebuild the party’s support base.
The issue of same-sex marriage is likely to be hotly debated at the ALP National Conference later this year.
Prime Minister Julia Gillard has consistently stated her opposition to overturning the ban on same-sex marriage in Australia.
The ALP doesnt have the balls anymore to be seen as progressive. This is not about the rights and wrongs of whether same sex couples should be able to wed their partners, but about a basic human right that discrimination in all forms is not and should not be tolerated in modern society. And with the Catholic Church and other Christian groups up the skirt of Julia Gillard, how can you expect anything from a party I once supported. Absolutly no way no how will I support the ALP ever agaain for trying to woo voters by confusing them making themselves out to be really a pale imitation of the other party who is lead by an ex-religous nut
How about a Minister for Equality?
Labor is faced with chasing the Abbott vote down every borrow, to the depravity of using race for an election victory, or they can define themselves as a progressive party of today and tomorrow-they can once again be the party of a Fair Go.
You can live your life like any married couple, garden, and cook, look after each other in sickness and health, but never ever call it marriage. Referring to my love as a Civil Unionist, is not for me.
My beloved is presently reading a book on Same-Sex Samurai Weddings. It is interesting how Same-Sex Marriage is documented in so many cultures. Even Jesus had it around him but never said a word against it. In fact it was not until 341years after his death that a law was passed against it by conservative Christians.
My Bishop as called for equality and Same-Sex Marriage, and I am with him on that. There are many people across Australia that call for us to once again the be the country of a fair go. I do to.