Equality Advocates say the Prime Minister’s support for a conscience vote on same-sex marriage is a call to action ahead of the ALP National Conference. (The conscience vote decision was reported here)
Australian Marriage Equality national convener, Alex Greenwich, said:
“The Prime Minister’s announcement is a clear sign the campaign for equality is working, and is a call to action for the majority of Australians who support reform to make their voices heard ahead of the Labor National Conference and a vote in federal parliament”, Mr Greenwich said.
“Despite the Prime Minister’s pre-emptive announcement, marriage equality will still be debated at the Labor National Conference, with many in the Party calling for a change to the party platform”
Mr Greenwich said Labor can expect the biggest ever rally outside their December conference “Supporters from all over Australian will travel to Sydney to join the thousands outside the Labor Conference calling for a change to the party’s policy” (Details of the rally can be found here)
Mr. Greenwich pointed out almost all State Labor Conferences and State Leaders have called for a change in party policy:
“A clear majority of Labor’s rank and file want their party to deliver equality, and despite the Prime Minister’s announcement, they want this done through a change in Labor policy”
The Prime Minister’s announcement comes after many voices in Labor have said they wouldn’t accept a conscience vote, with the Tasmanian Left Branch and Australian Rainbow Labor issuing statements of support for a platform change and a binding party vote on the issue.
Federal WA Senator Louise Pratt and ACT Deputy Chief Minister Andrew Barr statement read: “A positive change to the platform is critical and consistent with both the wishes of ALP members as well as the Australian public.” .
A fact sheet of Labor and Marriage Equality highlights the positive 4.6% swing Labor would receive electorally if they changed their policy to support marriage equality:
“If the ALP settles for a conscience vote it will limit the ALP’s ability to deliver this historic reform, and would not attract the 4.6% swing, from Green and young voters, that a binding party policy would.”
For more information contact Alex Greenwich on 0421 316 335