Vic Labor votes for marriage and adoption
UPDATED
The Victorian Labor Party has endorsed full marriage equality and same-sex adoption rights for Victorians at today’s state conference.
Australian Marriage Equality national convener Alex Greenwich welcomed the support for change.
“Victorian Labor today proved they are listening to the party’s grassroots,” Greenwich said.
“Many within the party have campaigned long and hard for this motion and they have now delivered a victory for the majority of Australians who also support equality”
“Ahead of the National Conference, Labor members across the country are making themselves heard loud and clear, they support marriage equality and want to see the party back it at a national level” Mr Greenwich said.
The party first passed a similar motion for marriage equality in 2009. Another motion failed to get support earlier this year as there were not enough members on the floor to pass the vote.
All state Labor branches have now given the green light to amend the Marriage Act to allow same-sex marriage, except NSW, which has deferred debate until Labor’s national conference in December.
Earlier this year Victorian Opposition Leader Daniel Andrews told the Star Observer he supports same-sex marriage.
“I think it’s only a matter of time before the Marriage Act is changed,” he said in June.
“I think denying one section of society access to marriage, access to that right, is unfair.”
The motion to allow same-sex couples in Victoria to adopt was moved by Albert Park MP Martin Foley who said it’s time Victoria overturns its ban in line with recommendations made by the Victorian Law Reform Commission in 2007.
A conscience (or open) vote is highly likely – similar to what happened in NSW with same-sex adoption and age of consent. Those reforms got through, with both parties allowing a conscience vote.
Even if Labor were to vote as a bloc, the legislation would not get through unless the independents supported it – which they wont (Tony Windsor) or are unclear (Rob Oakshott).
The best chance is for a conscience vote of all parties on same-sex marriage.
About bloody time!
It has been reported today that the Labor Party is trying to go the conscience vote route yet again. They clearly need more pressure applied to them. Maybe using David Cameron’s example to shame them will work.
One comment. If the Labor Party vote for a so-called conscience vote on same-sex marriage in the Federal parliament, it will be seen as a complete cop-out and sell-out by the gay community! The Labor Party is famous for making policy and voting as a block on that policy! Labor will lose even more votes to the Greens if it doesnt vote to support total marriage equality at it’s national conference. We are like elephants, we will not forget or forgive!
Thnaks for your report Andie. As we all know the big event is December 3. Sending out positive energy for national conference.ml