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.