Buttrose hailed for win
Marriage equality advocates have welcomed the new Australian of the Year Ita Buttrose for her long-time support of gay rights and HIV awareness. Buttrose urged the Labor members to back marriage equality at the Australian Labor Party鈥檚 national conference in 2011 when they added the issue to their policy platform.
She was made an Officer of the Order of Australia for her service to the community, especially her efforts spearheading Australia鈥檚 HIV/AIDS education program.
Australian Marriage Equality national convenor Rodney Croome said he hoped such a high-profile marriage equality supporter would send a positive message to our national leaders. 鈥淕ay and lesbian Australians have an extra reason to celebrate this Australia Day thanks to the announcement of Ita Buttrose as Australian of the Year,鈥� he said.
鈥淚ta鈥檚 unequivocal support for marriage equality is yet another example of how this far-sighted Australian has led where the rest of the country has followed,鈥� he said.
