The push for Marriage Equality laws in Australia remains one that bubbles on the surface of the political sphere, with public support slowly on the move from “the majority” to “overwhelming.”
The Australian Parliament, however, continues to have its heels dug in the dirt on the issue, with the Abbott Government continually refusing its party members a conscience vote on the issue.
The Labor Party‘s National Conference was held in Melbourne over the past weekend, and the issue reigned as one of the dominating issues on the party agenda. Left-wing and noted LGBTQI supporters Penny Wong and Tanya Plibersek had been pushing the party to remove their own option for the MP conscience vote – in essence moving the party to the polar opposite position of the Coalition, meaning the party would throw blanket support behind the issue and bind all members to vote as one in favour of the issue.
But thanks to a last minute move by the party’s Right Factions, the voting numbers were cobbled together for a last minute compromise – the conscience vote would remain in place for this current term of Government, and the next one, meaning the Labor Party would not force MPs to be bound on the issue until 2019. However, should Bill Shorten lead the party to an election victory, he pledged to pass Marriage Equality laws within the first 100 days of a potential Shorten Labor Government.
Opposition leader in the Senate Penny Wong addressed the delegates at the conference, delivering a stirring speech that was met with sustained standing applause for both her arrival to the stage, and the conclusion of the speech.
While elected party officials stood in solidarity with Wong – Shorten, Plibersek, Anthony Albanese and Louise Pratt all stood on stage with Wong, posing for photos with a Rainbow Flag – not everyone in the room was as taken with Wong’s words.
Standing ovation and rainbow flag! One of the times it’s really cool to be in the Labor party.#ALPConf15 pic.twitter.com/LiJAnv73rW
— Sir Bushranger Esq. (@grumpyshortpant) July 26, 2015
Powerful and highly controversial union figure Joe De Bruyn cut a lone figure in the crowd, as he remained seated and unmoved as the rest of the audience stood and applauded Senator Wong.
CAN YOU BELIEVE THIS? Joe de Bruyn stays sitting while #ALPConf2015 gives Penny Wong a standing ovation #auspol pic.twitter.com/CMBu0GseDH
— Bevan Shields (@BevanShields) July 26, 2015
De Bruyn has been an extremely vocal opponent of marriage equality and wields considerable power among Labor’s influential right wing factions.
Wong stated that her preference – which Tanya Plibersek agrees with – is to push for Marriage Equality to be passed during this term of Government.
As with all things in the current political climate, the ball remains firmly in Tony Abbott‘s court.
Photo: Stefan Postles via Getty Images.
