Gay slur claims another ALP scalp
An ACT Labor backbencher has resigned over an alleged gay slur against Deputy Chief Minister Andrew Barr 18 months ago.
John Hargreaves stepped down last night after ACT Liberal MLA Alistair Coe told The Canberra Times that the veteran politician sent him a note containing a “homophobic” message across the Legislative Assembly chamber while Barr was speaking during a session in August 2010 about the Stromlo Forest Park.
“Stromlo is a park for mountain bikes, not for mount ‘in men,'” the note read.
Hargreaves will leave politics at October’s election and told The Times that he was not homophobic and that it was a “joke in bad taste”.
Andrew Barr was the public face in the successful push to change federal Labor’s platform on gay marriage last year.
He told the Star Observer he welcomed Hargreaves resignation.
“I think it was the appropriate thing for him to do given the circumstances,” he said.
“His joke was stupid and in bad taste, and not particularly funny either.
“But I’ve had worse things said about me across the chamber from members on the Liberal Party, so on the scale of homophobic abuse it’s fairly low. But not a shining example of parliamentary behaviour.”
Barr said that despite Hargreaves behaviour, he had been a strong supporter of gay rights reform in the territory.
“On issues of substance that have come before the ACT Parliament on any gay issues, whether that’s law reform or particular campaigns I’ve run for preventing homophobia, John’s always voted for them and spoken in favour of them. So it’s completely out of character for him to have made such a joke,” he said.
“I’ve accepted his apology and certainly have pointed out the hypocrisy of the Canberra Liberals who, to a person, over the last decade have voted against every law reform measure, so of things to object to I rate that a little higher.”
Just yesterday, another ALP member and candidate for the Queensland state election was expelled from the party for a series of homophobic internet posts that compared homosexuals to paedophiles.
I’m a little dumbfounded that John Hargreaves would actually go as far as resigning for an off-colour joke. Considering that he has been so supportive of gay rights reforms in the past, it seems ludicrously extreme for him to step-down over a silly joke.
With Andrew Barr stating that Mister Hargreaves decision was ‘appropriate … given the circumstances’, I’m just left scratching my head at the continued, and widespread disintegration of the Australian Labor Party.
I’m willing to put my head on the chopping block, but when I first read the joke that Mister Hargreaves wrote, I confess that I had a little chuckle at the naughty wording of it; Benny Hill eat your heart out! The joke was in poor taste, and arguably infantile, but hardly a career ending offence, in my opinion.
Putting my head back on the chopping block, I really do think that the gay lobby has become exceedingly oversensitive and often precious in their responses and behaviour on occasion. The exacting, unforgiving and unyielding attitudes of many in the gay community almost invites scorn and continued criticism from other parties.
Dare I say, it may be time for us all to ‘grow up’!
Brenty,your cynicism is misplaced.
Even after defeat, Keneally has continued her support of G & L reform, as recently as the December ALP National Conference where she supported same-sex marriage.
And long before Marrickville was a twinkle in the Green’s eye, Bob Carr introduced in 1999 Australia’s first recognition of same-sex couples.
ben, sorry to be so cynical but why was Keneally and NSW Labor so keen for some GLTBI reforms in the last days of their Government? I think it is called the seats of Balmain and Marrickville etc. I don’t think it was from the ‘heart’
Brenty, I dont know about Sth Australia, but here in NSW the very Catholic Kristina Keneally delivered on civil partnerships, surrogates and same-sex adoption. And as Andrew Barr points out, this bloke told a lame joke 18 months ago, but voted for and spoke in favour of G & L reform.
The ALP has many arch-religious conservatives! You never hear about MP’s and members of the Australian Greens resigning because of homophobia or gay slurs! I can never vote for the ALP again after all that I have witnessed over the last few years. One expects such things from those in the the Liberal/Nationals but not the ALP who are SUPPOSED to have a social justice and human rights platform. Also, here in South Australia, the Catholic-right has permeated the ALP at all levels and it is truly frightening, even at the local Mayor level!
There’s no such outrage when nudists have slurs made against them, and many nudists are gay.
I’m convinced nudity will set gay people free, to finally integrate into the broader community with complete acceptance. It’s the only thing that will do that. It will set everyone free!