Australian Prime Minister seeks to outlaw gay marriage...

Some reactions:

http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/common/story_page/0,5744,9680686%255E2702,00.html


MPs fear backlash on gay marriage
By Misha Schubert
May 28, 2004
GAY advocates accused John Howard of "homophobic" electioneering and several Coalition MPs warned of a gay backlash yesterday over the Prime Minister's push to ban homosexual marriages and overseas adoptions by gay couples.

But there was widespread applause for accompanying reforms, revealed in The Australian yesterday, that would allow gay couples and other "financially interdependent" people to inherit each other's superannuation funds.

The Prime Minister defended his plan, saying marriage should be defined as a heterosexual union. It should "not over time be subject to redefinition or change by courts - it is something that ought to be expressed through the elected representatives of the country", he said.

Mr Howard denied the concession on superannuation was designed to blunt accusations of homophobia over the other changes. "I wouldn't be supporting them if I didn't believe in them," he said.

The superannuation changes would allow gay couples, elderly siblings who live together, or parents of a disabled child to leave their superannuation to each other without the present 30per cent tax penalty for someone other than a spouse, de facto spouse or child.

Labor will support the ban on gay marriage, but is undecided whether to block the ban on gay couples adopting children from overseas.

"We're not going to get hot under the collar about this being put into legislation," Labor's legal affairs spokeswoman Nicola Roxon said of the gay marriage ban.

Rodney Croome, a spokesman for the national gay rights group Equal Rights Network, said the superannuation rights were welcome, but were a sweetener on other "bitterly sour" changes.

"It just looks like a way of defusing any criticism of the Government and its prejudices," he said. "Superannuation reform shouldn't be used in this way."

But Liberal senator Guy Barnett, who led a group of 30 backbenchers lobbying the Government on the issue, was delighted. "Marriage is a rock-solid institution, it's not a fashion to be updated," he said.

Several Coalition MPs spoke out in the partyroom meeting that approved the legislation, with Adelaide MP Trish Draper telling colleagues she may lose her seat over it.

Others to voice concerns were Petro Georgiou, Judi Moylan, Peter King and Warren Entsch, who said he had "a number of gay friends" and did not feel comfortable with the gay marriage ban.

Those who spoke in favour of the change included Bob Baldwin, Peter Dutton, Alby Schultz and Wilson Tuckey.

The PM's party is extremely conservative.

I am shocked to see the Labor party go along with it - though Labor does have a large Catholic constituency, which often makes progressive social legislation difficult for them.

Aaaaaah- Labor showing some guts!!!!!


Labor to oppose same-sex couple adoption ban
Federal Opposition leader Mark Latham says Labor will oppose Government moves to ban same-sex couples from adopting children from overseas.

However, Mr Latham says Opposition frontbenchers have decided to back Government legislation that would ban gay marriages.

Mr Latham says the Shadow Ministry has agreed it is not appropriate for the Federal Government to intervene in the area of gay adoptions.

"We don't believe this is an appropriate use of federal power," he said.

"It's a matter that's always been handled by the states and territories ... Labor has said consistently that adoption has got to be judged case by case.

"That happens at state and territory level; it doesn't happen at Commonwealth level."

I bet it won't take long before your MP will change his name in John W. Bush.

PM - and nah. Just his policies.

MP, PM...

Member of Parliament, Prime Minister...rolls eyes back...

OK so the've got an policy on gay adoptions.

But, I don't see anything on gay abandon!

From the AP---

Howard dons cowboy hat and calls his brother "Jebbie".

Now - THAT'S scary.

Prime Minister is Minister President in the Netherlands... MP... who said I meant it in English? :wink:

OK, that excuse was extremely lame, I confess...

lol - 'twas the rolling eyes that irked me.