Marriage equality movement faces destruction without Liberal support: Liberal students
A BODY representing Liberal student clubs from around the country has warned against shutting the Liberal Party out of the marriage equality debate as it could “destroy” the movement’s chances of success, after voting in support of a conscience vote on the issue for Liberal MPs.
On Tuesday, the Australian Liberal Students’ Federation (ALSF) passed the motion at a meeting of the group’s federal council at the University of Melbourne.
ALSF spokesperson Matthew Lesh told the Star Observer the motion was part of the process of changing hearts and minds within the Liberal Party.
“It’s a step in the right direction on the issue, I would say. It’s not going to be in the party room tomorrow… but it’s another nail in the coffin in support of change to the Marriage Act,” he said.
While the federation is not officially part of the Liberal Party, it is viewed by some insiders as an indication of the future direction of party policy. It is also common for sitting MPs to come up through the party after starting out in campus Liberal clubs affiliated with ALSF.
Although support for marriage equality has remained consistent among Liberal students, Lesh said in the recent absence of significant public debate on the issue it was difficult to gauge whether there was movement within the Liberal Party.
“I think it’s really important that people who want to push up the marriage equality debate (understand) that you need to build wide societal support, and the best way to do that is through every political party, every possible forum,” he said, pointing to New Zealand and the UK, where marriage equality passed with the support of conservative parties.
“So trying to push Liberals out of the marriage equality debate is probably going to destroy any chance of marriage equality becoming a reality.”
Lesh said marriage equality as an issue should appeal to both the liberal and conservative elements of the Liberal Party, in terms of the rights of individuals and the importance of strong civil society.
“I think among the grass roots (of the marriage equality movement) there can be a conceptualisation that the Liberals are ‘evil’ when it comes to same-sex marriage or they’re evil when it comes to gay rights issues,” he said.
“Of course, that’s not historically precedented, and it’s certainly not the feeling within the party.”
Australian Marriage Equality has applauded ALSF’s position.
“The Liberal Students’ Federation has highlighted an important home truth to its seniors in the Coalition: marriage equality is about core the Liberal values of enhancing personal freedom and reinforcing family values,” said national director Rodney Croome.
Australia is already the laughing stock of European countries where marriage equality has been in existence for a few years. I know cause I have chatted with some of these people. They have criticised our blokey red-necked society. I said that is not the reason, the people here are way ahead of our conservative politicians who are ridiculously out of touch with the electorate.
If the gay marriage advocates are fair dinkum they have to line up and support marriage between brothers and sisters rather than howl down Garry Neilsen. If they don’t support equality for ALL they are guilty of becoming that which they claim to loath intollerant bigots and perhaps could be labelled incestophobes.
Abbott’s Great Wall of inequality also excludes people who believe in Liberal Values. The other side of the wall is a Vatican Nanny State. Remember Liberals are nolonger free, they cannot vote against the Barbie Doll Pope, and support Liberal values. They party is now gone.
Alistair, I think the best thing to do with the centre-right and marriage equality is to keep the Liberal/National Coalition is to keep them out of government.
There is no good reason to deny that we must keep evolving until an adult, regardless of gender, sexual orientation, monogamy or polyamory, race, or religion is free to marry any and all consenting adults. The limited same-gender freedom to marry is a great and historic step, but is NOT full marriage equality, because equality “just for some” is not equality. Let’s stand up for EVERY ADULT’S right to marry the person(s) they love. Get on the right side of history!
Alistair: While it is indeed the case that more than half of New Zealand’s National MPs and Britain’s Conservatives voted against marriage equality, a significant proportion also voted for it. Centre-right social liberals do exist and it is prudent for supporters of marriage equality to garner and harness their support for reform.
Thanks Craig – I don’t dispute those points at all, and I encourage AME to continue to engage with the Liberal and National Parties here. I was however responding to the article, particularly where it says “where marriage equality passed with the support of conservative parties.” That’s not actually true – it passed with the support of some MPs within conservative parties, but the overall position of both the UK Tories and NZ Nationals was more opposed than in support – and that was despite the conservative leaders in both countries being strongly in favour.
It should be pointed out that, while marriage equality was passed in New Zealand and England &. Wales during conservative Governments, in both places more conservative MPs voted against marriage equality than voted for it. The only reason it passed in both countries is that the vast majority of Labour MPs (& Lib Dems in England & Wales too) voted in favour of equality.
Both the Liberals and Labor will never change there party views on the policy on marriage equality!
Not until at least 2023 anyway!
Vote 1 Australian Sex Party!