Ballarat MP seeks marriage views
Federal Labor MP Catherine King is gauging community opinion on same-sex marriage. The Ballarat MP has posted a survey on her website in the lead-up to Labor’s national conference in December, where the matter is expected to be debated.
At its national conference in August 2009, the ALP resolved that the definition of marriage in the Marriage Act — that marriage is between a man and a woman — is appropriate.
King’s survey asks participants whether they believe the definition is appropriate and allows room to comment on this question.
King is one of the few federal MPs to attempt to engage their constituents on the question of marriage equality — joining Julie Bishop, Tanya Plibersek and Malcolm Turnbull — after Greens MP Adam Bandt’s motion in the House of Representatives calling on parliamentarians to gauge their constituents’ views on ways to achieve equal treatment for same-sex couples, including marriage.
This month, five Victorian state Labor MPs took it upon themselves to gauge public opinion on marriage equality in response to what they view as a lack of consultation on the issue federally.
info: To take part in King’s survey, visit www.catherineking.com.au or visit www.rainbowlabor.com for the state Labor survey.
Catherine King is the federal Labor MP, not state.
Silly me. in haze of my first hours awakening this morning I had misinterpreted Catherine as being a State MP.
None the less, unless Catherine is willing to cross the floor on the day, against her Partys’ stated policy, her consultation is publicity stunt.
Note my local Federal MP., KELVIN THOMPSON (Labor), has done NOTHING. Emails from a number of Gay constituents have been forwarded to his office, still NOTHING.
Further, a cut and paste from Martin Ferguson received this morning:
“I refer to your recent email regarding same sex marriage.
The Government believes that the definition of marriage in the Marriage Act is appropriate. This is Labor Party policy, decided by the National Conference. Any change to this position will have to be considered by the Australian Labor Party National Conference later on this year.
While not supporting same-sex marriage, the Gillard Government supports a nationally consistent framework for relationship recognition to be implemented by the States and Territories. Victoria, ACT, NSW and Tasmania have established relationship recognition schemes and relationships recognised under these schemes are now recognised in a wide range of Commonwealth laws. The Government will continue to encourage other jurisdictions to develop such schemes.
The Government’s commitment to removing discrimination was demonstrated by its reforms to remove discrimination from 85 Commonwealth laws. These reforms, which passed in 2009, removed discrimination and equalised treatment for same-sex couples in areas of taxation, social security, health, aged care, superannuation, immigration, child support and family law. These reforms extend to same sex couples the same entitlements and obligations that apply to opposite sex couples. Equal treatment means some same-sex couples will get access to benefits they could not previously access.
Thank you for sharing your views with me.
Yours sincerely,
MARTIN FERGUSON AM MP
Federal Member for Batman
Minister for Resources & Energy
Minister for Tourism”.
Thanks Martin. I am not worthy…
Labor SPAM!
The Liberal party will potentially be in power in this State for two terms.
The State Labor party FAILED spectacularly to put Gay Marriage on the national agenda.
The State Labor party is assigned oblivion. This is just a glib grab for copy. WASTE OF SPACE!!!