Same-sex marriage threatens Coalition unity

Matthew Knott, Mark Kenny | The Age | January 27, 2016

• Analysis: Turnbull’s moderate vision begins to fray
• Sketch: Aiding and Abetzing the flat-earthers

Same-sex marriage reform advocates within the Turnbull government have reacted angrily to the plans of some hardline conservatives to vote “no change” in Parliament even if a future plebiscite votes “yes”.

Arrangements for the plebiscite are being worked through with a view to a final set of options within weeks.

Senator Cory Bernardi will vote against same-sex marriage no matter what the Australian public says. Photo: Alex Ellinghausen

Opponents, including Abbott loyalist Eric Abetz and conservative strongman Cory Bernardi, have begun speaking out, declaring they will not back the change, regardless of public opinion. One MP said he expected others would also vote against reform, “come what may”.

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Bring on same-sex marriage bill now

The Age | January 26, 2016

It seems a sulky rump of conservatives in the Coalition cannot abide the new order under Malcolm Turnbull. Indeed, they seem determined to create disorder, or at least disharmony, as they pursue ideological goals that are fundamentally at odds with those of their leader.

In the latest episode, Liberal senator Eric Abetz has indicated he might not vote in line with the party if a mooted plebiscite, to be held sometime in the next term of Parliament, confirms that voters are in favour of changing the law to allow for same-sex marriages. His colleague, Senator Cory Bernardi, has declared that, irrespective of what voters say, he will not support same-sex marriage because “it goes against what I believe in”.

It is fair to note that this outbreak of views comes just days after the standard-bearer of the conservative faction, Tony Abbott, confirmed he would continue in politics and contest his seat of Warringah at the election. Coincidentally, Mr Abbott is presenting a speech in New York this week before the US-based anti-abortion lobby group, Alliance Defending Freedom, which is a prominent opponent of same-sex marriage.

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Bernie Sanders Should Follow FDR’s Lead and Create a Brains Trust Now

Democratic presidential hopeful Sen. Bernie Sanders speaks during a fundraising event at Town Hall in New York, September 18, 2015. (Photo: Sam Hodgson / The New York Times)

 

Barbara G. Ellis | Truthout | October 3, 2015

The past few weeks have shown that the powerful, leading parties in the United States, United Kingdom, Australia – and perhaps soon, Canada – have suffered a revolution from revulsion of austerity policies heaped on the 99% so that the 1% might live like Bourbon kings. This grassroots-led public uprising in the midst of Great Depression II is being achieved peacefully by ballots and polls in four of the world’s major countries.

No pundits have yet called this bombshell a “storming of the Bastille” or “overthrowing of the Hoovers.” But it certainly is an “earthquake awakening” for establishment rulers on three continents, not to mention multinational corporations profiting from war and resource exploitation of the “third world.”

The voice of the people finally is being heard loud and clear.

Jeremy Corbyn’s historic and staggering (59.5 percent) overthrow of leadership in the UK’s complacent Labour Party may make him prime minister if the present government falls soon from a parliamentary vote of no confidence. Australia’s Tony Abbott was just ousted as an austerity prime minister by a 54-44 vote of his conservative Liberal Party. And in Canada “uneasy lies the head” of Conservative Prime Minister Stephen Harper, who faces an October 19 vote by a large, angry electorate fed up with an economic recession that he refuses to acknowledge.

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Vote Liberal again? I don’t think I could bring myself to do it

Tony Abbott’s decisions on issues such as gay marriage seem to be based on his personal beliefs rather than sound democratic process. Photo: Alex Ellinghausen

 

Andrew Spurling | The Age | August 18, 2015

 

If Tony Abbott wants to promote his religious beliefs, he should do so from a pulpit and get out of politics.

I am a nobody … one of the millions of Australian “nobodies” who constitute the “silent majority”. I suspect we are generally silent because we labour under the (ill-conceived) notion that those whom we elect – and pay – to run this great country, will do so with our best interests at heart, and do so with integrity, intellect, vision and drive.

However, particularly over recent decades, it has become increasingly clear that this is a dangerous misconception and that the sole objective of many of our “leaders” is how best to secure re-election, with the result that the notion a politician’s electoral promises mean anything is a bad joke, more reminiscent of what Humpty Dumpty said to Alice in Lewis Carroll’s Through the Looking Glass: “When I use a word,” Humpty Dumpty said, in rather a scornful tone, “it means just what I choose it to mean – neither more nor less.”

It appears decisions are being based on the leader’s personal beliefs (particularly religious), rather than the expectations of the electorate or democratic process.

I used to think politics was a calling, but now feel it appears more like a summons by mates to join the gravy train.

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Shorten promises gay marriage bill

Labor’s Left faction could win its argument that MPs be bound to vote for same-sex marriage. Source: AAP

Megan Neil and Karen Sweeney | AAP | July 26, 2015

LABOR leader Bill Shorten will move to legalise same-sex marriage in his first 100 days if he becomes prime minister.

MR Shorten made the pledge after securing a compromise that federal Labor MPs would be bound to vote in favour of marriage equality, but not for another two elections.

Labor has tried to put a potentially damaging internal rift over the issue behind it by challenging Prime Minister Tony Abbott to allow his members a free vote on the issue. Mr Shorten said same-sex couples had waited too long for marriage equality.

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Opposing gay marriage will decide the Prime Ministership

Brian Greig | WA Today | February 6, 2015

Same-sex marriage looks to be back on the agenda.

As talk turns to dumping Tony Abbott for either Julie Bishop or Malcolm Turnbull, many people are excited by the prospect of gay marriage becoming a real possibility within this election cycle.

Ever since Abbott unilaterally ruled out a conscience vote for his coalition colleagues on marriage equality (bypassing party room consultation), Abbott has been the bulwark blocking this reform in Canberra since Kevin Rudd’s first term.

A genuine conscience vote on this matter from both major parties would now see it sail through the parliament, ending the discrimination. Labor allows a free vote on this and so the Liberals hold the key.

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Same-sex bill won’t come to vote: Abbott

AAP | Herald Sun | December 1, 2014

PRIME Minister Tony Abbott doubts whether a new bill legalising same-sex marriage will ever come to a vote in the Senate.

LIBERAL Democrat David Leyonhjelm last week introduced a private bill to allow same-sex marriage, leading to renewed calls for Mr Abbott to allow coalition MPs and senators a conscience vote.

But the prime minister says such bills don’t usually go to a vote. “If this one is different, well, obviously the party room will consider it,” he told reporters in Canberra. Senator Leyonhjelm last week said the prime minister had counselled him against the bill because it would cause trouble for the government at a time when it was already facing a number of challenges. Labor MPs already have a conscience vote on same-sex marriage.

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Prime Minister Tony Abbott flags challenge to ACT same-sex marriage bill

Jonathan Swan, Peter Jean and Lisa Cox | The Age | September 19, 2013

The federal government is considering whether it should block the ACT’s  proposed same-sex marriage legislation.

The ACT government introduced a bill to permit same-sex marriages into the  Legislative Assembly on Thursday morning. It is expected to pass the 17-member  Assembly with the support of all eight Labor and the only Greens member.

Mr Abbott later said the Commonwealth had constitutional responsibility for  marriage and Attorney-General George Brandis would seek advice on the ACT  bill.

ACT Attorney-General Simon Corbell. Photo: Jeffrey Chan

“The ACT is entitled to do what it can within the law,” Mr Abbott said.

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Gay Marriage Hopes Dashed As Conservatives Return To Power In Australia

Kevin Rudd (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Carlos Santoscoy | On Top Magazine | September 7, 2013

Australia’s conservative opposition swept to power on Saturday, ending six years of Labor Party rule and the hopes of gay marriage supporters.

“The coalition has won 13 seats clearly and with 10 seats still in play,” Australia’s newly-elected Prime Minister Tony Abbott told supporters gathered at Sydney’s Four Seasons Hotel.  “And I can inform you, that the Australian Labor Party’s vote is at the lowest level in more than 100 years.”

“I now look forward to forming a government that is competent, that is trustworthy and which purposefully and steadfastly and methodically sets about to delivering on our commitments to you, the Australian people,” he added.

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Australia: Liberals look for post-election push on same-sex marriage

Judith Ireland | The Age | April 20, 2013

Pressure mounts for a conscience vote on same sex marriage. Photo: Dallas Kilponen

Liberal MPs are quietly lobbying to change the party’s position on  same-sex marriage to ensure a conscience vote on the issue, but are not pushing  for a result before September’s federal election.

MPs are privately raising concerns with Opposition Leader Tony  Abbott about the Coalition’s stance against same-sex marriage, but are aware  that any major push to alter the party’s position before the election could  damage its campaign.

There is also a view that the party room is not yet ready to back a  conscience vote and if MPs were forced to make a decision before September, it  would lock in a status quo position.

But supporters are optimistic that post the election, the chances  of the party room agreeing to a conscience vote would be boosted by new MPs in  the parliament and growing support within Liberal ranks.

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It understood that the number of MPs who currently support a  conscience vote is significantly greater than those who have publicly stated  their position, such as communications spokesman Malcolm Turnbull, South  Australian senator Simon Birmingham and Melbourne MP Kelly O’Dwyer. It is also  understood that when the matter last went before shadow cabinet, the decision  was close.

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