Marriage still a thorn in Abbott’s side
Opposition leader Tony Abbott’s decision to block Coalition MPs from a conscience vote is unsurprising, but truly disappointing.
For days after the Labor Party National Conference, Abbott used political double-speak that left advocates with a glimmer of hope all might not be lost when Parliament inevitably votes on marriage equality.
Unfortunately they were wrong and are trying to put a brave face on what’s likely to be sure defeat of any bill next year.
So it seems the ‘broad church’ Liberal Party is the party of individual choice, unless it comes to same-sex marriage.
To be fair, Abbott’s contention that the party made a promise before the last election is not without foundation. It did.
Where to now for the Coalition?
The Labor Party has made the first move in changing its party platform to support same-sex marriage. On the flip side for marriage equality advocates, Labor’s decision to allow a conscience vote has been a sneaky roadblock to reform.
If Abbott thinks this issue will go away if next year’s bill fails — as it’s likely to, given the numbers — he’s much mistaken.
Opinion polls consistently say most Australians want change. The momentum around the issue has grown at a staggering rate — for a good reason.
Most people know, are related to, or are friends with a same-sex attracted, bisexual or transgender person.
As Australian Marriage Equality convenor Alex Greenwich rightly pointed out this week, when the story of Stephanie Bolt (sister of conservative Herald Sun columnist Andrew Bolt) emerged, LGBTI people are everywhere.
In her revealing opinion editorial for online news site Crikey she implored Australia to change its Marriage Act to recognise her own nuptials, officiated in Canada, to her female life partner.
Stephanie’s piece emerged following an opinion editorial in which her brother opposed allowing her the same rights he enjoys to marry his wife.
The Bolts’ case exemplifies the precise reason the marriage equality campaign has been so effective.
We’re (supposedly) living in a civilised society, and when one sibling cannot marry her life partner because of her gender, it’s not fair. The laws aren’t equal.
There’s only so long Abbott can deny fair and equal treatment to same-sex couples, election promise or no election promise.
I’m not convinced that using phrases like, ‘reasonable person’ and ‘decent argument’, when referring to Tony Abbott are really appropriate. His reasoned argument on climate change amounted to calling it ‘crap’. It’s highly unlikely that his position on a conscience vote on same-sex marriage will change, unless he’s convinced that there’s enough votes in it for him at the next election, or he fears a back-bench revolt of a magnitude that would threaten his leadership of the party. Neither of those scenarios seem likely any time soon. Being liberal in the Liberal Party stopped being fashionable long ago, as Malcolm Turnbull discovered to his detriment. The Liberal Party is increasingly being influenced by the loud voices of right-wing fundamentalist religious groups such as The Hillsong Church, The Exclusive Brethren, the Australian Christian Lobby and Margaret Court’s Victory Life Centre. Howard and Costello fostered relationships with such groups and I doubt Abbott is about to turn his back on their valuable political support. Such groups are not about to respond positively to any decent, reasoned arguments in support of same-sex marriage, consequently, neither will Tony Abbott.
So Rob, we pressure the Liberals to have a conscience vote and scream at Labor for having a conscience vote??
@Michael .. it is true that the Liberals are able to “cross the floor” without “punishment” (unlike in Labor), however it is not possible for a cabinet member to do so – cabinet solidarity is (in both parties) required.
Thus, the likes of Turnbull (who flip flops on this issue at the best of times) will not “cross the floor”.
a gentle, reasonable and constant pressure needs to be applied to Abbott and the other members of the LNP to encourage a change to allow a conscience vote. Despite the criticisms of him, Abbott is a reasonable person and will respond to a decent argument – although he is unlikely to alter his personal position.
Abbott’s stance cannot be considered too disappointing. When has he ever surprised anyone with any amount of equality on any same-sex issue? Unfortunately for him and those like him, the Libs have a wonderful tradition of crossing the floor without penalty on a whole host of issues. It’s embedded in their party rules. Bring it on, it’ll break the gridlock of his leadership.