NSW ALP falls short on marriage
The NSW State ALP Conference has failed to endorse full marriage rights for same-sex couples this afternoon, instead voting on a motion for the issue to be referred to the party’s National Conference in December.
The motion was introduced to by NSW Labor General Secretary Sam Dastiyari and seconded by openly lesbian MLC Penny Sharpe (pictured).
The motion read: “The conference welcomes the removal of discrimination against same sex couples in state and federal law.”
“Conference notes the branches motions about same sex marriage. Conferences refers the issue of same sex marriage to National Conference.”
Sharpe, while speaking for the motion, acknowledged it was not the motion she had personally wanted.
The motion was supported by both opponents and supporters of same-sex marriage, but speakers who identified themselves as supporters of marriage equality vastly outnumbered those who identified themselves as opponents.
Joining Dastiyari and Sharpe as speakers in support of marriage equality were Federal ministers Anthony Albanese and Tanya Plibersek and the National Secretary of the Australian Workers Union, Paul Howes – though he conceded that a majority of the members of his union were not yet supporters.
Plibersek told the conference that marriage was a civil issue, and assured churches that no one in the campaign for marriage equality believed that churches should be forced to marry couples against their will.
These were joined by a veteran unionist and openly gay man Michael Flynn who spoken of the discrimination and bullying he had faced as a young person in the 50’s and 60’s and his wish to marry his long term partner, and the founder of PFLAG Newcastle who described herself as a straight Christian who worked in the Catholic School system and also supported marriage equality.
If applause and comments shouted from the floor of the conference during speeches were an indication of support then a majority in the room were also supporters.
However, speculation overnight was that the ALP’s right faction had flexed it’s considerable muscle in NSW to ensure the deferral of debate on the issue to the National conference.
Only two speakers identified themselves as opponents of marriage equality- the Federal member for Robertson, Deborah O’Neill, and the Federal member for Fowler, Chris Hayes. Both said their opposition was rooted in faith. Hayes told the conference he had also surveyed his electorate on the issue and found it opposed while O’Neill speculated on the effect same-sex marriage might have on religious freedom.
No one spoke against the motion and it was passed on voiced alongside a number of amendments to the Social Justice committee’s report.
Marriage equality supporters speaking at the conference stressed it was important for the debate to take place respectfully with opponents to the change, but also said now was the time for people to lobby their MPs and union leaders heavily in the lead up to the December National Conference and encouraged Labor and union supporters to tell their stories through Rainbow Labor’s ThreeQuestions.com.au website, which was formally launched at the conference as a fringe event.
The motion comes just days after Prime Minster Julia Gillard stated that a favorable vote at the national conference would not necessarily mean a change in government policy.
The PM has repeatedly stated her belief that marriage is the union on a man and a woman.
The motion’s seconder, Penny Sharpe told the Star Observer that the motion had been agreed between “a number of players in the debate on the basis of it going through”.
“The motion that I would have liked to have seen would have been one that did more than refer the issue,” Sharpe said, “We weren’t able to get that but we were able to get a free vote at national conference and it’s game on from there.”
“The important thing about the motion was that it basically supported the removal of discrimination against same-sex couples both state and federally. That in itself is very important.”
Australian Marriage Equality national convener, Alex Greenwich, said he hoped those who supported equality wouldturn this setback into a call for action ahead of the ALP’s national conference.
“We know a clear majority of ALP voters, State conferences, and State Leaders support reform, but this NSW setback proves the battle is far from over, Greenwich said.
He said every Australian who supports equality has a role to play in making history and delivering an outcome 75% of Australians expect.
“It is vital that supporters of equality continue to express their views to their MPs and Senators. To deliver the outcome we all believe in, we must email, phone, and meet with our parliamentarians as a matter of urgency,” Greenwich said.
Supporters of reform have until mid August to share their views with MPs, after which time MPs will report back to parliament on their electorates’ views on the issue.
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Oliver, I raised Catholic, went to Catholic high school, etc.
There is no way that you can be Catholic and a practicing gay person.
The two are not compatible.
What do you do? Pick and choose the parts you like and disregard the rest ? Have sex with your boyfriend and then go to confession to be forgiven ? Put money in the collection plate and ignore the fact that same money is used to spread the message that protected sex, birth control and homosexuality is wrong in countries where AIDS is rampant, and lack of birth control results in infants starving to death?
How do you be Catholic and Gay ? And what is up with all these closeted gay priests who won’t stand up and be counted?
You are deceiving yourself if you think that is possible.
If I hear one more person say they are Catholic and Gay, or Catholic and practice birth control, I think I will have to bitch slap the hypocrites.
Good for you Oliver, and I am proud to stand up to the many acts of hate of the Catholic Church against my community, including you.
Where were Albanese and Plibersek? I thought they were the progressive face of the ALP. Are they actually doing anything, or are they happy to let their party continue with its bastardry while they enjoy their power and privilege?
Hitler youth? holocaust? oh Dave, it never ends! and I never demanded that you live as I do! I am a Gay Catholic and proud! How can you have a profile with a heart shaped rainbow flag with an emphasis on the word “love” when you use language like you do. Im not offended, just sympathetic towards you!
Sorry Oliver, I just do not know what got into me. Perhaps it was the fact the Catholic SDA Union controls many of the policy outcomes of the Prime Minister, and holds her numbers to keep her in the lodge. Perhaps it was just all that gay bashing the Pope does, saying we are against the “Natural Order of things” to the shock of us and most normal Catholics, or perhaps it was my disgust that a member of the Hitler Youth has promoted Bishops who deny the Holocaust. It might also have been the shock at my friend who has titanium knuckles as the Nuns at the Orphanage used to beat the crap out her, making her hang and wash all the clothes of the Orphanage as a child. Perhaps it is the berating I constantly hear from Cardinal Pell trying to control our lives. Or it might just be that when people try and take the Catholic Church to court for abuse, it usually argues it does actually exist. My disgust perhaps also comes from the way it pays victims hush money, and the way it does not yet have a policy to inform police when an allegation has been made, and has instead tipped of the alleged offender. All these things and more, I could develop issues about. And maybe it was the Bishop who put in a Senate Enquiry about Marriage we are not human, and can never have natural love. Or perhaps it is just the awful actions of the Catholic SDA Union.
So the question is why all the utter hate from conservatives in the Catholic Church? Thank God they cannot burn or torture us anymore.Why is the Church now so removed from ordinary Catholics? I mean there are just over 1500 priest left in Australia and a fifth are imported, so why I am expected to be a Catholic?
The claws of the Catholic Right recently got the Liberal Party to repeal protections in the Equal Opportunity Act in Victoria, denying GBTLI people the right to work freely as a Bishop said, the laws have gone to far.
So the real question is, why does the Catholic SDA Union demand people follow their version of a Catholic Lifestyle? Why is rainbow Labor constantly bashed by thugs in the Catholic SDA Union?
Blasphemous? Is this the best you can do, and deny a million people voted Green? I am demanding the right not to be your version of Catholic. So when you demand I live as you do, then do not be offended by me telling you to fuck off!
Dave, why all this bagging of the Catholic Church? I just dont understand. Since when is Labor a Catholic party? and who are you to dictate who people should vote for. What difference would voting greens do? Just remember that majority Gay votes in the last election went to labor so you very much sworn Julia Gillard to the throne! as a catholic myself, your continual slandering is just plain blasphemous!
I am yet to see a credible argument to keep GLBTI people excluded from the Federal Equal Opportunity Act, let alone the right to marry.
I have yet to see an established reputable survey (or any survey for that matter) showing that the majority of Australians want gay marriage. Howver its proponents put it out that this is indisputable! If about half the ALP supporters (who currently are about 28% in total) want gay marriage and a significant majority of coalition voters do not, it would seem to be a pretty small minority of Australians. I don’t recall seeing public opposition to John Howard’s law change to not recognise gay marriages that have been solemnised in other countries. If the ALP run with this their chances of winning the next election will fall further.
Ed: The most recent polling by the Galaxy polling company shows that 62% of Australians support same-sex marriage, only 33% oppose it, 78% believe it should be put to a conscience vote in the parliament, and that 74% of Labor voters support same sex marriage, as do 48% of Coalition voters. In addition 75% of Australians are resigned to the fact that same-sex marriage will be legalised in this country whether they support it or not. There have been regular polls conducted on the issue by the same companies major media organisations use for their political polling since 2004.
Ashley Ubrihien from NSW has clarified what actually happened as this article is largely inaccurate.
A motion was voted upon and passed and it said:
“The conference welcomes the removal of discrimination against same sex couples in state and federal law.
Conference notes the branches motions about same sex marriage.
Conferences refers the issue of same sex marriage to National Conference.”
Ashley and many other members of Rainbow Labor in NSW worked long hours over many weeks and particularly this week to negotiate an outcome that would be suitable to our collective GLBT aims. They now join with Rainbow Labor members from around the Nation, with many straight allies in hand, to lobby for policy change in the lead-up to the December National Conference.
People should be rising up and supporting Rainbow Labor and its work on this!
Ed: And that makes the article wrong how? Rather voting to endorse like all the other states, NSW voted to pass the buck … just as is stated.
We simply can not let Albanese and others who are in marginal seats get away with just professing to support us. They can do more than that and they need to be made well aware that we expect them to do no less than force our issue thru. PERIOD NON STOP Or we have to vote them out and bring in the Greens. That is our only power. Julia has her head stuck so far up her bum that she can not see our resolve and must be shown it. We won’t get there with Abbott. So we really have no choice if they don’t get the job done by December. WE just need to make it perfectly clear that verbal support is not enough – we want action – and to get that we have to be willing to sacrifice the likes of Alabanese, Wong, and any others willing to follow the Gillard directive.
What an ugly display that Penny Sharpe (Labor Left) supported the Catholic Right in silencing debate until National Conference.
Hang Your Head in Shame Penny !!!!!!!
p.s. I guess the “Left Faction” should call it’s self…..
“What’s Left Over- Bloody Nothing”
I blame the Catholic Right. It’s time these Catholic swine , F*$k off and join the DLP once and for all, as they now have a Senate Seat.
:P
It’s simple really, the ALP can’t be trusted with LGBT Rights anymore.
At least I have my sailors to comfort me through this sad history of Australian politics. This country could be a beacon of light and hope, and the envy of the world.
We need leaders and a Prime Minister with an honest job. Someone who can drive a Steam Train, and truly has Australia’s welfare at heart.
So sick of these University types telling us what is good for us.
I’ve lost faith in NSW Labor. I would dearly have loved to be a supporter and even helped to hand out leaflets at a polling booth for Carmel. But this just saddens me.
With so many speaking in favour, across both Right and Left, a vote should have been taken.
There is a shrinking minority in the ALP desperately resisting same-sex marriage. Gillard should not be one of them.
The General Secretary of NSW Labor’s name is Sam Dastyari, not Sam Dastyarian.
Well said Andrew – the NSW Labor right need to piss off and join One Nation or help out Pauline Hanson….
Well said Andrew! The Catholic SDA Union runs Labor.
The Prime Minister can talk about a tax, but not us, not once. Labor is a pathetic mess, and the Catholic Right argued to keep the White Australia Policy not so long ago.
I will keep voting Green, not for a right wing factions of the Catholic Church to run Australia.
Shame
and the party wonders why it got thrashed at the last election ?
Where is their courage ?
This is a disgrace that they were not prepared to endorse our human rights.
Don’t forget this.
It doesn’t really mean anything when all the other State branches have said yes and will be taking that to the Ntnl Conference.
So this is the case is it…”This is despite Prime Minster Julia Gillard stating that a favorable vote at the conference does not necessarily mean a change to government policy.”…. So Julia does not even think she should listen to her party any more. Where has labor gone :-( Down the wrong track.
I so agree with Michael – I’ve always thought the Labor Party were a bunch of Bring Back the Latin Mass conservative tossers. They’ll probably move a motion against abortion next… This just goes to prove it. Im so sad at this inaction – afterall they won’t be in power in NSW for at least 4 years so if they wanted to be “brave” they this would be the time… They are a joke – just a joke.
Typical!
“It is vital that supporters of equality continue to express their views to their MPs and Senators. To deliver the outcome we all believe in, we must email, phone, and meet with our parliamentarians as a matter of urgency” – see http://ymlp.com/zf2Sxu
Another ALP bastion has failed to deliver, just like the Victorian ALP … never let it be said that the ALP under Kevin, Julia, or any of the current mob is in any way progressive. They are like deer in the headlights of power … stunned into inaction.