Maybe, just maybe, we’re watching Australian history in the making…
Politicians spend a lot of time trying to figure out what is right, what is popular and if there might just be some crossover between the two.
Sadly, our leaders fail us far too often in this regard.
They announce good public policy that is disastrously communicated to the public, rendering it fatal (hello carbon pricing!). Or they make poll-driven, simplistic decisions with worrying social consequences (stop the boats, anyone?). And all of this happens in the context of tight economic environments, which mean new ideas with genuine merit are left unexplored for fear of the impact on the bottom line.
But rarely, oh so rarely, an issue comes along requiring a political decision that is both right and popular.
Same-sex marriage is one such issue.
Fairfax Media reports today that former Deputy Prime Minister and Member for Lilley, Wayne Swan has shifted his position, declaring “basically, I was wrong”. Swan’s public change of heart follows that of several other Labor members, leading Australian Marriage Equality to announce that the country is closer than ever before to successfully amending the Marriage Act.
Previous votes to legislate for same-sex marriage in the federal parliament have failed but according to Australian Marriage Equality’s count, the current Senate would pass such a bill by one vote. If the Liberal/National Coalition were to allow their MPs a free parliamentary vote, it is likely that twelve more ‘yay’ votes would also be added to the House of Representatives tally. This would make 72 lower house MPs likely or publicly declared to vote in favour of same-sex marriage, with 76 votes required to pass.
Four votes.
Time to dust off that old copy of How to Win Friends and Influence People.
The Coalition party room is yet to meet and decide if they will allow their members a free vote on the issue; as opposed to binding MPs and Senators to vote against. The decision continues to be delayed, leaving the successful passage of the latest Bill to allow same-sex marriage in doubt. Sadly, ‘nearer than ever before’ may still ultimately mean ‘close but no cigar’.
The below video is a powerful argument for same-sex marriage in Australia. Post continues after video.
Why? Because the views held by those in our federal parliament do not mirror those held by the majority of the electorate.
Community support for allowing gay and lesbian couples to have their relationships legally recognised, is at an all time high. According to Crosby/Textor polling, a whopping 72 percent of Australians support same sex marriage; the majority of those who don’t accept that it’s probably an inevitable social change.
Spain, Argentina, Iceland, Canada, Sweden, New Zealand, South Africa, Belgium, the Netherlands and much of the United States have amended their laws to permit gay and lesbian couples to marry. And why wouldn’t they? The public policy case for same sex marriage is both clear and convincing.
As well as being The Right Thing To Do, permitting same sex marriage reduces discrimination and social stigmatisation, reduces inequality, offers greater security and stability for families, improves the human rights reputation of these nations and adds injects a whole lot of cash into local industry (seriously, weddings are expensive).
Same sex marriage is one of those unusual cases where immense public approval is coupled with an irrefutable policy case for change. And yet bizarrely, no Australian Government has managed to take a strong, declarative stance on the matter. In fact, the policy arguments and the polls run contrary to both major parties’ positions and have done for some time.
For Coalition members to reject same sex marriage, largely on the grounds of religious freedom, is laughable. Marriage may be a religious institution but it is governed by the laws of the state and if our Government is going to be in the business of marriage, then it is only right that all committed, consensual adult relationships be recognised.
The Labor Party’s position of allowing a ‘free vote’ rather than having an actual policy in favour of same sex marriage is an unusual one. Free votes are usually confined to issues of ‘conscience’, that is laws governing moral questions about life or death such as abortion, stem cell research or euthanasia. Same-sex marriage is not an issue of conscience, it is an issue of equality.
The trickle, however slow, of federal politicians declaring their support for same-sex marriage and committing publicly to vote for change, is welcome. Many in the Coalition are doing so, despite a stated party position against reform – that deserves respect and applause. And while the Labor Party’s position might not be as bold as many would like, it has cleared an enormous barrier that was previously standing in the way of same-sex marriage becoming a reality.
If this newest Bill loses by only four votes, it would be a terrific improvement on previous results. Such a narrow margin would provide real optimism for the future and restore faith that change, while perhaps not imminent, is inevitable.
For straight supporters of same sex marriage, like myself, reports like those in today’s Fairfax newspapers are cause for hope. But for gay and lesbian Australians, who live and breathe a daily reality that tells them their love is inferior to that of others, I suspect hope is fast giving way to maddening frustration.
Want to read more on same-sex marriage?
Why we’ll keep fighting for same sex marriage. “Because almost equal isn’t good enough”.
This video may change your views on same sex marriage.
He campaigned against same sex marriage. Then his daughter married a woman.
Top Comments
Annette, I think you are full of shit! Many children are not raised in households that have two parents. A child has many female and male influences in their lives, not just their actual parents. They have Aunts, Uncles, Grandparents, Teachers, Family Friends, Sports Coaches and even Friend's parents. You don't have to have a man and a woman in the house to bring up a well-rounded, loved, confident child. It's utter crap!
Marriage is not a religious thing, religion STOLE marriage to make money! Marriage was around before it was even a part of religion. The churches began to tell people that in order for their marriage to be "real" and recognised by the church they must get married in the church. And then they were invited to "make a donation" to the church for allowing them to marry there. What a load of shit! Religion is a business and people need to recognise this. Those people that call themselves religious and are against Same Sex Marriage for "religious beliefs" are hypocrites, they don't follow most of the rules of their religion but this one they want to follow!? Religion is so out-dated and is becoming more and more unbelievable, why so many people are still blinded by it, I do not understand, but that's a whole other debate.
It's obvious what majority of Australia want, and the politicians need to grow some balls and act on our behalf, as they are supposed to, and not the church. The church doesn't have to recognise same sex marriage, they can do their own thing, who cares! I, as an Australian, born in this country, should have the right to marry whomever I please. I'm sick of seeing my friends get married and I can't, it makes me very angry! I'm sick of being a second rate citizen in my own country! Why should I have to abide by this country's laws and pay taxes when I don't have the same rights as others in this country!? If this government doesn't want to recognise me as an equal then maybe I won't recognise them and their rules/laws.
I'm sick of feeling this way and I hope the government realises what it is doing to the gay and lesbian people in this country. It's disgusting!
Angry and Hurst Gay Man, I'm sorry I offended you, I had no thought of religion in connection with same sex marriage, far from it.
I am expressing an opinion solely on the grounds of family and children and luckily in this country we can have different opinions, (so far anyway).
You are not a second rate citizen and I certainly had no intention of insinuating that you are; again far from it. so please do not take my comments personally.
I feel strongly about this matter but normally I do no buy into the debate, it was just reading the article which dripped of emotional overtones, I was moved to comment.
"i didn't want to offend you, I just want to deny you the right to have your love recognised in a way enjoyed by myself and millions of others based on an intrinsic part of yourself."
I am so sick of bigots trying to dress it up like deep down, they're really nice people. This isn't about your opinion. This is discrimination. Racism isn't opinion. Antisemitism isn't opinion. It's bigotry and this is no different. You say gays aren't second rate citizens, yet seek to deny them rights, making them so. You're deluded.
Thanks for your question espresso girl; it is quite a complicated issue and for me it revolves around family and children.
Marriage is a formal union between a man and a woman, husband and wife.(Oxford dictionary) and from this union usually, not always, children are born and so a family is created.
Without going into a lot of detail, I have seen over the years how the presence of a male parent and a female parent is of great benefit for children as they grow and mature. These families become the glue which keeps society together; family loyalty is a solid background for the rest of society.
To me this idea of same sex marriage is the very antithesis of all of the above; it denies children a male role model and a female role model, so how on earth can the children learn both these very different values?
So yes,, taylor, I'm 'full of it' as you say, because the breakdown of the family unit, IMO, is what is at stake here.
In most matters of importance I tend to leave emotions at the door, and in this case even more so. It has become such an emotive issue, and an excellent example is this whole article which is built around emotive language,
I am well aware that yes, heterosexual marriages can be far from perfect and that is the way of life; but on the whole these marriages, are the basis of our society and family cohesion and in particular family loyalty are important ingredients.
So yes, I am very grateful for those 4 votes which, at the moment are the barrier to same sex marriage becoming legalised.
Gay people will raise children whether you like it or not. Marriage is about recognising love. It does not necessarily lead to children. Indeed many people, gay or straight, have children without marriage, and will continue to do so.
Matters of importance? How about how many gay and lesbian people experience homophobic abuse. How about the prevalence of suicide, depression, drug abuse, and a whole slew of other emotional problems? How about the fact that, as long as we continue to say that these people are less than, that their relationships are less than, that their capacity to love and raise a child is less than, we will never solve these issues.
The 'think of the children' argument is so weak its laughable. Studies have shown that gays and lesbians are fully capable of raising healthy, well rounded adults - in fact, they have been all this time, despite you wishing ignore their love in the eyes of the law. And even though that's technically an argument for gay marriage, its a complete aside.Stick to arguments against actual marriage, not thinly veiled disapproval at gay couples raising children.