KAP denies link to posters
Katter’s Australian Party (KAP) has denied any connections to anti-gay posters put up anonymously in the Sydney suburb of Fairfield recently despite using the same image.
The posters showed opposing images of a homosexual couple and a pregnant heterosexual couple with ‘They are not the same!’ printed below.
The homosexual couple image is the same couple used in the recent Queensland marriage television advertisements from the KAP.
The posters also ask people to contact their local federal MP, Chris Bowen, and lists his office number.
KAP spokesman Scott Barrett told the Star Observer the KAP had no connection to the posters, despite sharing the same image.
“We’ve got nothing to do with that ad, we ran an ad in the lead-up to that election to highlight the hypocrisy of the LNP leader [Campbell Newman]. Aside from that we’ve got very little interest in the debate,” Barrett said.
“A representation that vilifies or humiliates a person on the basis of their sexual orientation is completely unacceptable and we should be looking to promote diversity and respect, particularly for same-sex couples in all of our communities here in Australia,” NSW Gay Lesbian Rights Lobby spokesman Senthorun Raj said.
“This is something we need to acknowledge as something that is undermining the rights of individual diverse sexual orientation and same-sex couples to be afforded the same respect and dignity in our society.”
Immigration Minister and McMahon MP Chris Bowen, whose electorate includes Fairfield, said the posters did not come from his office.
“These posters are inappropriate, inconsiderate and illegal,” he said.
“Many residents and shop owners have also contacted my office expressing their concern about the posters.
“There are strong views in the community about the issue of gay marriage and the appropriate way to deal with the issue is to allow a proper debate in the federal Parliament and to allow a conscience vote, with every MP considering the issue closely.”
Bowen said defacing Fairfield CBD with “inappropriate posters” was not the way to go about expressing that view.
A Fairfield City spokesperson said the posters were illegal but could not confirm if they had been taken down yet.
The time for debate and further votes on gay marriage is over. Parliament has had its chance.