Same sex marriage debate divides Labor

Summary

The Australian Labor Party faces internal conflict over same-sex marriage, with a conscience vote being urged by the Greens. While some MPs like John Murphy oppose change, citing community views, others like openly gay Andrew Barr support it. The debate is set to escalate at the National Conference in December, where the party's stance on marriage as a union between a man and a woman may be challenged. Despite the Greens' push and growing grassroots support for amendment, the Prime Minister's resistance and the possibility of a conscience vote in Parliament indicate ongoing political struggle.

Takeaways

• 🗳️ There is increasing pressure on the Prime Minister to permit a conscience vote on the issue of gay marriage.
• 📢 A green motion has been put forth urging all Members of Parliament (MPS) to report on the views of their communities regarding gay marriage.
• 📆 The issue is expected to reach a critical point at the Labour's National Conference in December.
• 🎉 Political editor Chris Yman reports on the internal debate within the Labour party about the definition of marriage.
• 🏛️ John Murphy, a New South Wales Labour MP, states that his electorate is against changing the definition of marriage but acknowledges the party's branches are voting in favor.
• 🌈 Andrew Barr, the Deputy Chief Minister of the ACT and a member of Labour's right wing who is openly gay, sees the push for same-sex marriage as a positive reflection of the party's diversity.
• 🏛️ Almost all Labour state branches have endorsed same-sex marriage, indicating a strong grassroots movement within the party.
• 🏳️‍🌈 The Greens, with their sole member of the lower house Adam Bandt, have been instrumental in bringing the issue to the national agenda.
• 📉 Some members within Labour's right wing believe that the party's focus on this issue may reinforce a perception that Labour is overly influenced by the Greens and is prioritizing less important matters.
• 🏛️ If the National Conference endorses change, there are still significant hurdles to overcome, including the Prime Minister's stance on maintaining the current Marriage Act.
• 🗣️ There is a call for a conscience vote in Parliament, which may indicate that the internal argument is being lost and that there is a belief the vote could be won with broad support.

Q & A

What is the main issue being discussed in the script?

The main issue discussed in the script is the growing pressure on the prime minister to allow a conscience vote on gay marriage within the Australian Labor Party.

What is a conscience vote?

A conscience vote is a type of parliamentary vote in which members are allowed to vote according to their personal beliefs rather than along party lines.

What is the position of John Murphy, the New South Wales Labor MP, on the issue of gay marriage?

John Murphy, a member of the Labor Party's right wing, states that his views, which he believes reflect his electorate, are against changing the definition of marriage, citing the predominantly multicultural and Muslim population in his electorate.

How does the script describe Andrew Barr's perspective on the issue?

Andrew Barr, the deputy chief minister of the ACT and a member of Labor's right who is openly gay, sees the push for same-sex marriage as a positive reflection of the Labor Party's diversity and inclusivity.

What is the Labor Party's current stance on marriage as described in the script?

The Labor Party's current platform defines marriage as the union of a man and a woman, a stance that some within the party believe is a step too far and should be changed.

What is the significance of the Labor's National Conference in December mentioned in the script?

The Labor's National Conference in December is significant because it is where the issue of same-sex marriage is expected to be discussed and potentially lead to a change in the party's platform.

What was the outcome of the vote in November by the Greens' sole member of the lower house, Adam Bandt?

Adam Bandt won a vote that called on all MPs to consult their electorates about gay marriage and report back, which was an important step towards recognizing equal love in the Australian Parliament.

What does John Murphy believe should be the recognition of same-sex relationships under the law?

John Murphy supports the recognition of same-sex relationships as civil unions but not under the Marriage Act, which he believes should maintain the traditional definition of marriage.

What is the concern of some members within the Labor Party's right wing regarding the push for same-sex marriage?

Some members of the Labor Party's right wing are concerned that pursuing the issue of same-sex marriage reinforces a growing community view that Labor is a captive to the Greens and is spending political capital on issues that most people do not care about.

What is the potential outcome if the National Conference endorses a change in the Labor Party's platform regarding marriage?

If the National Conference endorses a change, it could lead to the removal of the reference to marriage being a union between a man and a woman, but there would still be hurdles to overcome, such as the prime minister's stance and the possibility of a conscience vote in Parliament.

What does the script suggest about the likelihood of a conscience vote in Parliament?

The script suggests that while there is hope for a conscience vote in Parliament, it is unlikely that the fight for same-sex marriage recognition will end in a single showdown, indicating a potentially lengthy and complex political process.

Outlines

00:00

🗳️ Conscience Vote on Gay Marriage

There is increasing pressure on the Prime Minister to permit a conscience vote on the issue of gay marriage. A Green motion has urged all Members of Parliament (MPS) to report on their constituents' views. In August, New South Wales Labor MP John Murphy noted a clear stance against change in his electorate, but nationwide, Labor party branches are leaning towards supporting it. The debate is set to intensify at the Labor's National Conference in December. Political editor Chris Yman reports on the internal conflict within the Labor party, with some members, like Murphy, reflecting their diverse electorates' conservative views, while others, like openly gay deputy chief minister Andrew Barr, see it as a positive step for the party's inclusivity. The Labor party's push for same-sex marriage is facing opposition from traditionalists within its ranks, who believe it may alienate voters and detract from other priorities.

Keywords

💡Conscience vote

A conscience vote is a type of parliamentary vote in which members are allowed to vote according to their personal beliefs and convictions, rather than along party lines. In the context of the video, there is a call for a conscience vote on the issue of gay marriage, indicating a recognition of the deeply held personal views on this topic. The script mentions, '...I'm hoping that uh we'll be allowed a conscience vote on this...'

💡Gay marriage

Gay marriage refers to the legal recognition of a union between two individuals of the same sex. The video script discusses the growing pressure for a conscience vote on this issue within the political sphere. The term is central to the video's theme, as it is the subject of debate and potential legislative change, as evidenced by '...a green motion calls on all, MPS to report on their community's views...'

💡Electorate

An electorate is the body of voters in a political constituency. The script mentions the views of different electorates, particularly highlighting the perspective of John Murphy's electorate, which includes a large Muslim population and their stance on gay marriage. The term is used to illustrate the diversity of opinions within different communities, as shown in '...in his electorate that people, don't want change...'

💡Party's branches

In the context of the script, party's branches refer to the various regional divisions of a political party that often have their own autonomy and influence over policy decisions. The script indicates that almost all Labor State branches have endorsed same-sex marriage, which is a significant factor in the push for change within the party, as stated in '...almost all labor State branches have, endorsed same-sex marriage...'

💡National Conference

A National Conference is a gathering of representatives from a political party to discuss and decide on party policies and strategies. The script mentions the Labor's National Conference in December, where the issue of gay marriage will come to a head. It is a pivotal event in the narrative of the video, as it will determine the party's stance on the issue, as highlighted in '...the issue will come to a head at, Labour's National Conference in December...'

💡Right wing

The right wing of a political party typically represents more conservative or traditional views. In the video, John Murphy is described as a member of the Labor party's right wing, which influences his stance on gay marriage. The term is relevant as it helps to understand the diversity of opinions within a single party, as seen in '...he's a member of, the party's right wing...'

💡Multicultural

Multicultural refers to a society, community, or electorate that includes a variety of cultural or ethnic groups. The script discusses the multicultural aspect of John Murphy's electorate, which is centered on Orbin and includes a predominantly Muslim population. This term is important as it sets the context for understanding the diverse perspectives on the issue of gay marriage, as mentioned in '...I inherited um, probably the most Multicultural part of, Australia...'

💡Marriage Act

The Marriage Act is the legislation that governs the legal recognition of marriages in a country. In the script, the Marriage Act is mentioned in the context of its current definition of marriage being between a man and a woman, which some are advocating to change to include same-sex couples. The term is central to the debate on gay marriage, as indicated by '...Under The Marriage Act they, reject that...'

💡Discrimination

Discrimination refers to unfair treatment based on certain characteristics, such as sexual orientation. In the video, there is a discussion about the historical discrimination against same-sex relationships and the changes made to Commonwealth laws to address this. The term is relevant to the video's theme as it frames the debate on gay marriage as a matter of equality and social justice, as seen in '...that took, away the discrimination against people, who are in same-sex, relationships...'

💡Progressive reform

Progressive reform refers to changes or policies that are intended to advance social justice and equality. The script mentions the Labor party's history of championing such reforms, and the push for same-sex marriage is framed as part of this tradition. The term is used to illustrate the ideological stance of the party and its supporters, as stated in '...the labor party is always, at its best when it's championing, Progressive reform...'

Highlights

Growing pressure on the Prime Minister to allow a conscience vote on gay marriage.

A Greens motion urging MPs to report community views on gay marriage.

John Murphy, NSW Labor MP, reflects on his electorate's resistance to change regarding gay marriage.

Nationwide, Labor's party branches are voting in favor of same-sex marriage.

The issue is set to be discussed at the Labor National Conference in December.

2007 National Conference ended with a debate; the 2017 conference may bring the fight indoors.

John Murphy represents a multicultural electorate with a large Muslim population.

Andrew Barr, openly gay Deputy Chief Minister of the ACT, sees a positive reflection of Labor's diversity.

Almost all Labor State branches endorse same-sex marriage ahead of the National Conference.

The ACT Branch is expected to record the strongest vote in favor of amending the Labor platform.

The Greens put the issue of gay marriage on the national agenda, leading to a parliamentary vote.

John Murphy differentiates between civil unions and the Marriage Act for same-sex couples.

Some in Labor's right wing believe the party is captive to the Greens and misplacing its priorities.

There is a growing community view for amending discriminatory Australian law to be more inclusive.

Labor's National Conference may endorse change or drop the traditional definition of marriage.

The Prime Minister's stance on keeping The Marriage Act in its current form.

The possibility of a conscience vote in Parliament is being pushed by Labor MPs.

Labor's internal argument and potential platform change may influence the parliamentary vote.

The fight for same-sex marriage recognition is not expected to end with a single parliamentary showdown.

Transcripts

there's growing pressure on the prime

minister to allow a conscience vote on

gay marriage a green motion calls on all

MPS to report on their community's views

in August New South Wales labor MP John

Murphy says the message is loud and

clear in his electorate that people

don't want change but around the nation

the party's branches are voting for it

the issue will come to a head at

Labour's National Conference in December

as political editor Chris yman

reports Labour's staged managed planned

2007 National Conference actually ended

with a colorful argument

outside come December label will bring

the fight indoors does its National

Conference again Endor a party platform

that says marriage is the union of a man

and a woman this is a step too far that

we will see change John Murphy is the

member for Reed and Sydney's in a West a

seat that runs along the southern side

of the Paramount River he's a member of

the party's right wing and says his

views reflect his electorate which

includes a large Muslim population at

the last election there was a

redistribution and I inherited um

probably the most Multicultural part of

Australia centered on Orbin and if

people think that the old electorate

that I represent of low which is a

predominantly a Christian electorate are

concerned about this well I ask you to

ask people of the Islamic faith what

they think about the labor party's push

to allow couples of the same gender to

get married Under The Marriage Act they

reject that Andrew bar inhabits a very

different world he's the act's deputy

chief minister he's also a member of

Labor's right and he's openly gay I

think it's seen as a positive reflection

upon the labor party that we can

generate people from all different

backgrounds to uh to serve in public

office

in the leadup to the National Conference

almost all labor State branches have

endorsed same-sex marriage the ACT

conference will vote on it this weekend

look I think the ACT Branch will will

record the strongest vote in uh in favor

of amending the labor platform at a

national level I will be referring the

matter obviously to the National

Conference but taking a position

ourselves in support of change uh I

think that uh you know reflects that

growing Grassroots momentum across the

labor party in each state and territory

Branch labor was always going to have

this fight but it was the greens who put

it on the national agenda the question

is therefore resolved in the affirmative

the greens sole member of the lower

house Adam B won a vote in November

which called on all MPS to consult their

electorates about gay marriage and

report back on August 17 the Australian

Parliament has just taken an important

step towards recognizing what you

already know and that is that love is

equal John Murphy doesn't believe

believe that maintaining the traditional

definition of marriage is

discrimination I supported the changes

to those Commonwealth laws that took

away the discrimination against people

who are in same-sex

relationships now I want to see their

relationships

recognized um as a civil union but not

under the Marriage Act some in labors

right believe that pursuing this issue

just reinforces a growing Community view

that labor is a captive to the greens

and that it's spending political capital

on issues that most people don't care

about my sense is there's a growing

momentum uh amongst Australians to uh to

see what what is a discriminatory piece

of Australian law amended uh to be more

inclusive and the labor party is always

at its best when it's championing

Progressive reform if December's

National Conference does endorse change

or simply drop the reference to marriage

being a union between a man and a woman

there are quite a few more hurdles yet

one is the prime minister said that it's

my view that The Marriage Act should

stay in its current form and my view is

unchanged then there's the question of

whether labor MPS will be granted that

rarest of things a conscience vote in

Parliament well I'm hoping that uh we'll

be allowed a conscience vote on this I

think that's terribly important that the

rights calling for a conscience vote

shows two things that it's losing the

internal argument and that Labor's

platform might well change the second is

that they believe they can win this vote

on the floor of parliament with the

support of almost everyone in the

Coalition but it's unlikely that the

fight will end in a single

Showdown political editor Chris yolman