Roxon backs marriage equality

Roxon backs marriage equality

Australia’s new Attorney-General Nicola Roxon has confirmed her support for marriage equality.

In an interview in today’s Australian Roxon, who yesterday became the country’s first female Auditor-General, said she plans to toughen anti-discrimination laws, promote human rights and reignite the debate on Australia becoming a republic.

The interviews claims Ms Roxon will vote for marriage equality when the conscience vote comes before the parliament in 2012. The Attorney-General’s office would be responsible on advising the Government on any proposed changes to the Marriage Act.

Australian Marriage Equality (AME) national convener Alex Greenwich said Roxon’s position was an example of how thinking around the issue had changed since 2004 when, as shadow attorney-general, Roxon voted for John Howard’s ban on same-sex marriage.

“Nicola Roxon has engaged the electorate on this issue and like most Australians has changed her mind to support equality,” Greenwich said.

“She understands that this is a clear area of discrimination that impacts couples, families, and communities across Australia.

“In her new role as Attorney-General we are hopeful she will have the historic opportunity to put into law Labor’s marriage equality policy and the wishes of a clear majority of Australians.”

Roxon was one of several key Gillard supporters promoted in yesterday’s cabinet reshuffle.

Sydney MP Tanya Plibersek, already an outspoken supporter of marriage equality, was promoted to the role of Health Minister.

Meanwhile, pressure continues to mount on Opposition Leader Tony Abbot to allow Coalition MPs a marriage equality conscience vote.

Greenwich said reports that a Coalition free vote had been summarily dismissed were premature.

“The Coalition and Mr Abbott are not immune to the arguments of love, family, and equality that have won over the hearts and minds of a clear majority of Australians from coast to coast,” he said.

“It was only a few backs when the Labor Party had the same position as Mr Abbott, and we have seen the impact the unstoppable momentum towards reform has had there.”

Greenwich said the calls for a free vote on the proposed legislation are becoming louder and clearer, with reports claiming that Joe Hockey, George Brandis, Christopher Pyne, Greg Hunt and Senator Nigel Scullion have all thrown their support behind a conscience vote.

“What we do know is a number of senior Coalition MPs have joined Malcolm Turnbull, Barry O’Farrell, Simon Birmingham and Barnaby Joyce in supporting a free vote,” Greenwhich said.

“Granting a conscience vote allows Mr Abbott to maintain his opposition to reform, while preventing the tensions and protracted debate that plagued Labor for years to get to that point. It is the sensible move and is backed by the people who elected Mr Abbott.”

Recent polling shows that that 76 percent of Coalition voters want their MPs to be granted a conscience vote.

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8 responses to “Roxon backs marriage equality”

  1. Brenty: Your comments don’t annoy me, they are just a tad reactive….a pink-2GB.

    And in your 26 year same-sex relationship, where did the major G &L relationship reforms come from? Bob Carr in 1999 with Australia’s first recognition of same-sex de facto couples and then in 2008 with Rudd’s removal of 58 discriminatory pieces of legislation.

    I will give you credit however for recognising as few have that thet the “great friend” of the community Malcolm Turnbull, representing a pink electorate, has pledged to oppose SSM! That makes him a greater enemy than Roxon.

  2. Hi ben, I have been following Australian politics since the early 1970’s. Voting since ’74. I have been observing the ALP closely over that period. Do you really believe that the very close vote for Marriage Equality at the recent ALP conference was all about Marriage Equality and how Labor members are so supportive of it? There is only one reason, why Labor were desperate to pass Marriage Equality at the conference, it doesn’t have too much to do with progressing gay rights but other political realities for Labor but I will let you ponder on that one! By the way, I noticed that the ALP in their great generosity, have allowed a conscience vote, which in this Parliament means that the Marriage Equality Bill will never pass! That is strange because the ALP are famous for making party policy, voting as a block and any member that votes against policy would be expelled from the party! What is so different about Marriage Equality as a policy and why are same-sex couples so not worthy of the usual ALP policy precedure! No the votes are probably not there anyway, but that is not my point. I will never forgive Nicola Rixon and I will never give her any praise for anything because of that day where she and the ALP backed John Howard and the Coalition to changing the Marriage Act ‘as only between a man and a woman’. I have never voted for or supported the ALP from that day! Roxon delivered that message of discrimination and as far as I am concerned, she wears that for life! ben, I do not know whether you are in a same-sex relationship, but I have been for 26 years! I have experienced that relationship in a society that ‘openly’ discriminates against same-sex couples! That discrimination comes in all forms and from all quarters! Sometimes I feel very battled-scarred and it has taken it’s toll on my health because I am of the generation where even 26 years ago it was unusual for same-sex couples to live openly together,, especially in the smaller city where we live. So please excuse my cynicism, you are quite welcome to your optimism and probably very short memory of political events in Australia. I used to be a very forgiving person, but these days, I make my judgements about people and issues a la Patrick White! My comments always seem to annoy you, so just get used to it!

  3. Amazing – we condemn Roxon for now declaring her support for same-sex marriage??

    I’d rather cheer on another vote in support!

    (hey Brenty and Rob1966 – head on over to the article where Abbott declares the Opposition will vote as a block to stop same-sex marriage…isnt that a bigger concern than slamming people declaring support for SSM!)

  4. Given that Roxon previously attended and spoke to an ACL funded “defend the family” gathering in Canberra I’d take any claims of her support with a grain of salt.

  5. Ms. Roxon has changed her mind!It took a long time, didn’t it! I do find this sort of thing so fascinating. It was Nicola Roxon who not that many years ago was the ALP spokesperson, who in front of the Parliament House backed John Howard and his Governement for changing the Marriage Act to ‘being only between a man and a woman’ I do find the ALP full of hypocrisy!