Rudd reverses gay marriage position

Former prime minister Kevin Rudd has revealed a change of heart on the issue of marriage equality, announcing that he now believes a “secular Australian state should be able to recognise same sex marriage”.

Rudd posted a lengthy statement on his website on Monday night detailing his new-found support.

“I have come to the conclusion that church and state can have different positions and practices on the question of same sex marriage,” he wrote in the post.

“I also believe that this change should legally exempt religious institutions from any requirement to change their historic position and practice that marriage is exclusively between a man and a woman.

“For me, this change in position has come about as a result of a lot of reflection, over a long period of time, including conversations with good people grappling with deep questions of life, sexuality and faith.”

Rudd, a Christian, attributed much of his new position to a gay former political staffer – and Pentecostal – who made him rethink what constitutes a “credible Christian view of same sex marriage”.

“… if we were today to adhere to a literalist rendition of the Christian scriptures, the 21st century would be a deeply troubling place, and the list of legitimized [sic] social oppressions would be disturbingly long,” Rudd wrote.

“Slavery would still be regarded as normal as political constituencies… Supporters of polygamy would be able to justify their position based on biblical precedent.

“The point is that nobody in the mainstream Christian Church today would argue any of these propositions. A hundred years ago, that was not necessarily the case. In other words, the definition of Christian ethics is subject to change, based on analysis of the historical context into which the biblical writers were speaking at the time, and separating historical context from timeless moral principles, such as the injunction to ‘love your neighbour as yourself’.”

Rudd voted against Labor MP Stephen Jones’ same-sex marriage bill in September 2012.

He said he would not be taking a leadership role on the issue, but said he believed the Liberals and Nationals should be given a conscience vote on the matter.

Australian Marriage Equality national director Rodney Croome said Rudd joined a majority of Christian Australians in supporting marriage equality.

“His journey is reflective of the one many people across the country have gone on to support equality for same-sex couples,” Croome said.

“If Mr Rudd can show the maturity and integrity to compassionately evolve on this issue, so can the Prime Minister and Leader of the Opposition”

Speaking to Sydney radio station 2DayFM this morning, Opposition Leader Tony Abbott said people are entitled to change their mind on the issue but remained firmly opposed himself.

“I know it’s a difficult position…. I haven’t changed my mind,” he said.

Earlier this month, federal Greens MP Adam Bandt said he would be reintroducing a marriage equality bill into Parliament in June despite fears it will fail if the Coalition are not granted a conscience vote.

Read Rudd’s full post on his marriage equality support here.