Marriage equality advocates have strongly countered claims from Labor’s right faction that the issue is headed for an inevitable defeat in parliament, saying that the only thing that is inevitable is increased support.
They were responding to calls from members of Labor’s right faction for the issue to be resolved as soon as possible because it cannot pass parliament.
Australian Marriage Equality, national convener, Alex Greenwich, said,
“Opponents of marriage equality were proven wrong when they said the public would never support it, the Labor Party would never endorse it, and that state parliaments would never uphold it in principle”, Mr Greenwich said.
“Supporters of marriage equality continue to win victories, because when it comes to crunch time MPs realise this is a reform about treating their gay friends, family members, colleagues, and constituents with equal respect and dignity under the law”.
“I believe marriage equality has a sporting chance of passing because I have seen so how quickly seemingly impassable barriers have dissolved in the past.”
“Those Labor MPs who are pushing for marriage equality to be promptly debated and defeated are betraying the party grass roots who strongly support reform and want to see it achieved.”
Mr Greenwich said reform now has more supporters than opponents in the Senate and that many of the large number of undecided MPs will support reform.
“The absence of a fully-fledged Coalition vote is a problem now, but there is no certainty it will be a problem later this year.”
Mr Greenwich said “myth-making” about the inevitable failure of marriage equality is just another ploy by those opposed to reform who are trying to create a “self-fulfilling prophecy”.
“The only thing ‘inevitable’ about marriage equality is that support in parliament will continue to increase.”
“We are keen to see this issue debated in the second half of the year, preferably later in the year to allow the Coalition more time to endorse a conscience vote.”
Mr Greenwich hit back at Labor whip, Joel Fitzgibbon, who has been leading the push to bring on the vote as soon as possible.
In response to Mr Fitzgibbon’s claim that his electorate is against reform and that it will “traumatise” some of his elderly constituents, Mr Greenwich pointed out that a 2010 Newspoll found only 33% of people in Mr Fitzgibbon’s electorate oppose marriage equality while 67% support it or don’t care either way.
For more information contact Alex Greenwich on 0421 316 335.