EQUALITY ADVOCATES URGE LABOR TO REMOVE DISCRIMINATORY POLICY

AUSTRALIAN MARRIAGE EQUALITY

Media Statement
Monday 22 August 2011

EQUALITY ADVOCATES URGE LABOR TO REMOVE DISCRIMINATORY POLICY AGAINST
SAME S-X MARRIAGES BEFORE CONSCIENCE VOTE IS CONSIDERED

Australia’s marriage equality advocates want the Labor Party’s National Conference to overturn the party’s current opposition to same s-x marriages before it considers a conscience vote on the issue.

Responding to reports today that Labor factional leaders may strike a deal to allow a conscience vote before the National Conference, Australian Marriage Equality spokesperson, Peter Furness, said,

“Almost every state and territory Labor Conference has overwhelmingly endorsed a motion calling for the National Conference to pass a new policy allowing same s-x couples to marry.”

“The Party rank and file clearly want this discriminatory policy to be overturned and for traditional Labor and Australian values like equality and a fair go to be asserted.”

“Subverting the wishes of the Party’s rank and file with a back-room, pre-conference deal will open the Labor Party up to criticism of being undemocratic.”

“If anti-equality MPs want to lobby the Party for a conscience vote that is a matter for them, but it should be after the Party has been allowed to show its overwhelming support for reform.”

Mr Furness said Australian Marriage Equality is prepared should there be a conscience vote.

“There is more support for this issue in both major parties than many people realise”, he said.

Tomorrow afternoon MPs will have an opportunity to report back to Parliament on levels of support for the reform in their electorates.

For a report on a possible conscience vote deal go to:

http://www.theaustralian.com.au/national-affairs/labor-looks-at-conscience-vote-to-defuse-same-sex-marriage-split/story-fn59niix-1226119264981

Alex Greenwich, Australian Marriage Equality