Liberal senator backs ACT
One of the ACT’s two Liberal senators has come out in support of the territory’s new same-sex marriage laws.
Media reports this morning claim Gary Humphries has vowed to vote against his coalition colleagues in the upper house should the Rudd Government attempt to overturn the laws.
This week, on its third attempt, the territory’s Legislative Assembly passed laws for legally-binding civil union ceremonies between same-sex couples.
The previous attempts to introduce this legislation were rejected by both the Rudd and previous Howard governments.
Humphries told AAP the Commonwealth shouldn’t be able to overturn territory laws, and if it does then the High Court should have the final say.
“If it gets to the Senate … yes I will (cross the floor),” he said, adding that it was important to be consistent on the matter,” he told the news agency.
The senator voted against the Coalition government’s veto of similar laws in 2006 and was also outspoken against the Rudd Government’s threat to intervene in the legislation last year, which prompted the ACT to drop the legislation.
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Don’t read too much into this. Gary’s a fine senator, but this likely has as much to do with ACT self-determination as gay rights. A senator representing the ACT who voted to strike down laws passed by the territory government — whatever the issue — wouldn’t be doing their reelection chances any favours.
According to the Australian parliament website, the ACT only has two senators, Gary is Liberal, and Kate Lundy is Labor.
continue ducking n weaving – we remain in the dark ages!
Thanks Liberal Members!
Finally some guts. I hope this sends a message to our Happy Clapper Prime Minister Kevin Rudd. Consider over 300,000 people go to Mardi Grass, another 100,000 people go to Midsummer, and many watch Mardi Gras on television, we are looking at over half a million voters. Now think of the 75% of Australians that support gay marriage. Even the facebook page for this has over 28,0000 voters on it who get messages every day.
Drive around the suburbs and you will almost know one goes to church. And of those that go not many support the Gay Hate Group The Australian Christian Lobby.
Even the other Hate Group The Australian Family Association has had to downsize to much smaller offices, and flea to an outer suburb. Christian Hate Groups do not have the support of the community or media. Those that support these groups such as Kevin Rudd will see a gradual slide in popularity. Think of those politicians that supported the hate laws against people who are black in South Africa, and now they just seem like nasty evil people.
Politicians should start do the maths, and look at history. Be on the right side of History and give equality, or be on the wrong side and be seen as nasty and Evil.
RUDD etc etc WAKE UP.. we are living in 2009 if you hadn’t realised it.
Gay marriage laws have been passed in a number of countries long ago and Australia lags behind badly in many same sex rights issues.
Stop being so pathetic and pass the laws that make us equal to everyone else.
Gary Humphries is the only decent Liberal in Australia that supports civil rights for gays!!!!