Queensland Labor votes to force federal MPs to support marriage equality
QUEENSLAND聽Labor have managed to do what the NSW聽branch of the party recently could not do: pass a motion calling on federal MPs to be forced to vote in favour of future marriage equality legislation.
Cheers and celebrations followed the successful passing of the motion at Queensland聽Labor state conference last weekend.
The motion, which will now be put to next July鈥檚 federal conference, called on MPs to vote as a block in favour of upcoming marriage equality bills rather than vote according to their conscience.
Although Labor鈥檚 official platform is in favour of same-sex marriage rights, MPs are allowed to vote according to how they personally feel on the issue.
ALP delegate and regional member of Rainbow Labor Queensland, Nick Thompson was responsible for moving the motion on聽Sunday.
He said that the success of the motion 鈥� that was passed overwhelming by members’ voices alone 鈥� showed a聽commitment to equality.
鈥淭he resounding support to call on the next federal conference to remove the conscience vote on the issue of equality has always been the next logical part of Labor鈥檚 progression and strong record of fairness and equality,鈥� Thompson told the Star Observer.
鈥淨ueensland Labor already adopted a position of equality in 2011. There was therefore a strong precedent in the lead up to the conference of party members and affiliated unions supporting marriage equality.鈥�
A similar motion was put to the NSW Labor branch during their state conference held last month, but it was not successful.
The fact Queensland can lead on the issue of marriage equality reflects its strong history of supporting civil issues, Thompson believed.
鈥淨ueensland Labor has previously lead in areas such as anti-discrimination and vilification legislation, de facto rights and altruistic surrogacy,鈥� he聽said.
鈥淨ueensland Labor is experiencing a phase of membership growth and renewal and Rainbow Labor Queensland has been a strong proponent of this development.鈥�
Deputy Opposition Leader and long-time proponent of same-sex marriage, Tanya Plibersek, was present at the conference.
鈥淲e have come so far thanks to the tireless work of LGBTI activists, including many within Queensland Labor,鈥� she聽told the Star Observer.
鈥淟abor is the only major party that supports marriage equality. As I鈥檝e said before, marriage equality鈥檚 time has well and truly come.
鈥淢y bill for marriage equality stands ready, but Tony Abbott must first allow his MPs a conscience vote for it to have any chance of success.鈥�
Thompson said there were many vocal Liberal MPs in favour of marriage equality who could see a future bill passed successfully.
鈥淭he Coalition have many members and parliamentarians who support equality and the LGBTI community,鈥� he聽said.
鈥淭he event of a conscience vote from the coalition and a binding vote from the Labor party would see this issue resolved for the hundreds of LGBTIQ Australians their families and allies that expect so much more from their elected representatives in relation to marriage equality.鈥�
Queensland, ACT and Tasmania Labor Parties have now got rid of the conscience clause in there marriage policies!
What about the NT, VIC, WA, NSW, SA and the National Labor Party? Oh that’s right – the corrupt Unions are way too bigoted and are control freaks for progress in the other states to get rid of the conscience clause in there marriage policies! And let’s not forget that Bill Shorten rape scandal and the ACL fundraising and speeches trips too!
That is why I will NOT ever vote Labor, Liberal or the Greens (since they sided with Labor and did NOTHING)!
Vote 1 Australian Sex Party (ASP)!