Opinion | Queer Penguin |
| Friday, 18 January 2008 10:00 |
 FIRST THINGS FIRSTAs a preview of things to come, the Australian Parlimentary Library recently released a Briefing Book designed to assist senators and lower house MPs prepare for significant issues that are expected to arise in the early days of the 42nd Parliament – that is, Kevin Rudd’s first as Prime Minister, scheduled for the middle of February. As a preview of things to come, the Australian Parlimentary Library recently released a Briefing Book designed to assist senators and lower house MPs prepare for significant issues that are expected to arise in the early days of the 42nd Parliament – that is, Kevin Rudd’s first as Prime Minister, scheduled for the middle of February.Of particular interest in this document is the section ‘Same-Sex Relationships: Recent Legal And Policy Developments’, which specifically discusses last year’s HREOC ‘Same Sex: Same Entitlements’ report, as well as marriage and other family law matters. It would seem, therefore, that Labor is putting its money where its mouth is and remaining committed to its pre-election promise to, at a minimum, endorse the bulk of the HREOC report’s recommendations within its first term of office. But the wording of this document gives cause for concern at several places. Firstly, it suggests that ‘the issue of government regulation of personal relationships is inherently vexed, exciting strong emotions in both the community and political spheres’ – and then cites negative responses from the Australian Christian Lobby as an example. One wonders why the Rudd Labor government, as essentially author of this document, appears to be condoning the validity of a minority, extremist Bible-bashing organisation regarding basic civil rights for lawful citizens in a secular parliament. Secondly, the document goes to great lengths to stress Rudd’s ‘general principle that same-sex couples should not have the right to adopt’. This would seem to be more a white flag to the God squads than anything else, since this briefing book is supposed to be focusing on specific, achievable goals of the government in its first term, not general policy principles – which are irrelevant here anyway, since adoption is largely governed by the states. Finally, Rudd and Labor’s opposition to marriage and civil unions is ritualistically reinforced, with only a vague suggestion of ‘some form of formal recognition or national registration system for same-sex couples’ to compensate. The difficulty of compelling six different state and territory governments (other than Victoria and Tasmania) each to commit to a registration scheme has been documented, but may well become a lot clearer should actual legislation be presented for debate. Though Labor’s commitment here to at least act on the HREOC report within its first term is admirable, current state Labor governments, such as South Australia’s, have demonstrated that a pre-election promise to act within its first term does not always translate. And given what will still be a Coalition-controlled Senate until the middle of the year, followed by one where extremists like Family First’s Steve Fielding will have as much bargaining clout as the Greens, there are no guarantees of safe passage for Labor’s proposed reforms, whatever they may be. Sam Butler: http://queerpenguin.blogspot.com
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written by paul , February 04, 2008 Disgusting hypocrisy! I voted for this fool thinking that finally a new age was dawning! Why is it wrong for us gays to adopt? Nothing! Why is it unlawful or morally wrong to give a child love, family and financial care? Mr Rudd is silently a bigot, making promises and hiding under a conservative banner; methinks that bible belt of Australian politics holds major donation money and financial clout: money speaks volumes and Mr Rudd is kow-towing to the almighty political monetary might. Looks like we have a dud in office once more... well I’m left with egg on my face! report abuse
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| Last Updated ( Thursday, 24 January 2008 03:36 ) |
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