Labor and core values
The NSW Gay and Lesbian Rights Lobby (GLRL) is disappointed that the NSW Labor Conference held in Sydney over the weekend failed to produce a motion in support of marriage equality, with the issue instead being referred to the National Labor Conference in December.
A motion in support of marriage equality looked promising after recent Labor Conferences in Western Australia, South Australia and Queensland passed motions supporting same-sex marriage. However, it was not to be.
With Tasmania, Victoria and Northern Territory Labor branches also having motions supporting equal marriage rights, NSW remains the only Labor branch not to have a motion in support of marriage equality.
Despite failing to vote on a motion, supporters of marriage equality, including federal Transport Minister Anthony Albanese, NSW state secretary Sam Dastyari, federal Social Inclusion Minister Tanya Plibersek and Paul Howes from the Australian Workers Union, spoke out in favour of a debate about same-sex marriage at the National Conference and declared they intended on voting in favour of amending the Marriage Act.
The NSW ALP Conference was opened by a speech from Prime Minister Julia Gillard, who spoke passionately about the Government’s plan to introduce a carbon tax. “We’re in government to make a difference to people’s lives … democracy is not one long opinion poll. It’s about leadership,” she said.
If only this passion for democracy and equality translated to marriage equality.
The right to non-discrimination and equality before the law is a basic human right. Despite opposition to marriage equality within our communities, the Government should take leadership on this issue and commit to reforming the Marriage Act, to allow all people to marry, regardless of their sex or gender identity or sexual orientation.
The Australian Labor Party claims to be committed to a just and tolerant society, which fully protects the rights and freedoms of all people in Australia. The GLRL hopes that Labor Party members stay true to their core values and endorses a policy of full marriage equality at the National Conference in December.
INFO: GLRL invites community members to our ‘Uncloseting Discrimination’ consultation on youth this Saturday, July 16 at Twenty10, 43 Bedford St, Newtown. To RSVP, please email Senthorun Raj at [email protected] or call 02 9571 5501.
BY KELLIE MCDONALD, NSW GLRL
