ALP’s secret civil union deal
A News Limited story claims former Prime Minister Kevin Rudd struck a deal at last year’s ALP National Conference to move on same-sex civil unions – and would have allowed a conscience vote on the issue.
The story, using unnamed sources, suggests a back-room agreement was reached between Rudd and Cabinet ministers Penny Wong and Anthony Albanese in a series of meetings around the Conference last year.
According to the report, Rudd, Wong and Albanese have declined to comment on the allegations.
The story also claims Rudd was prepared to openly campaign on same-sex civil unions at the 2010 election.
Australian Marriage Equality national convenor Alex Greenwhich has challenged Wong and Albanese to either confirm or deny reaching an agreement, saying a civil union scheme would ‘sell the gay community short.’
“We challenge Anthony Albanese and Penny Wong to deny the reports, or explain to the clear majority of gay and lesbian Australians who prefer marriage equality to civil unions, why they have to settle for second best,” Greenwich said.
“Far from being a step towards marriage equality, civil unions entrench the second class status of same-sex relationships.”
View the News Ltd story here.
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“You could just imagine an Aboriginal Politician not standing up for indigenous rights and holding the party line, NOT.”
Sure Nathan…. and just how many Aboriginals are there in Parliament??? So much for equality!
Furthermore, do you seriously believe that black Australians see us white fellas as the yardstick for their lives? Try asking one, but don’t be surprised if they spit in your eye. (Hint: the term ‘self-determination’ might get a better reception.)
The Sydney Morning Herald reports that a number of Labor MPs have broken ranks with the party policy, and are openly and publicly supporting same-sex marriage. Those supportive MPs are: Mark Arbib, Stephen Jones, and Kirsten Livermore.
It shows it is possible for Labor MPs to speak out if they want to. Especially considering Livermore has a rural seat.
Now look at inner-city Sydney, where you’d expect even more support. But no. There is none. Labor MP Tanya Plibersek refuses to publicly support same-sex marriage. Nothing will change while people like Plibersek are in power.
Aparteid civil unions are sooo 2003. Civil Marriage is what is needed- it still “Civil”, it’s still in a government registry office, but it’s Equal Marriage for equal taxes paid.
All the countries that implemented civil marriage are cruising alone fine, with no problems. However, those that implemeted apartied civil unions such as the UK are now going through constant court challenges, as couples sue the government to have thier civil unions converted to civil mariages. It is a failed experiment, that the courts now have to clean up.
But like I said- all the countries that implemented Civil Marriage are cruising along fine, with no problems.
Fully equality includes Marriage Equality. Anything less is not acceptable because its not equality.
Penny Wong is a total embarrassment to our community in my humble opinion. She gets a big FAIL from me.
You could just imagine an Aboriginal Politician not standing up for indigenous rights and holding the party line, NOT.
We need to make sure that the Greens will push for Marriage Equality and will not accept Civil Unions. They are our only hope.
In typical Rudd and Penny style, no consultation with us!
This might sit well with Penny Wong, and her Pilgrim Church in Adelaide, but do we have a right to be consulted?
Why is Penny Wong so against engagement with our community?
Last time I checked there was a separation between Church and State. What part of that does Penny not understand?
Penny Wong will be one of the few people who cross the floor to vote against Same-Sex Marriage should there ever be a vote. One has to ask what else does she not support due to her religious beliefs?
So more rumours from the ALP backrooms. If the government had run full-term we’d be having the election about now; one wonders how Julia would have fared with a few more months behind her. On the other hand, if Kevin was leader we might have had civil unions in the campaign…. Just how many reasons did they have for getting rid of him? We are living in interesting times.