Will the Coalition move first on Marriage Equality in Australia?
Federal Opposition Leader Tony Abbott has indicated that a Coalition government could change its position on gay marriage, after state Liberal premiers came out in support of the idea.
New South Wales Premier Barry O’Farrell has voiced his support of same-sex marriage and called for a conscience vote in Federal Parliament.
West Australian Premier Colin Barnett has also backed calls for a conscience vote, although he says he is personally opposed to gay marriage.
Speaking to ABC Radio in Melbourne, Mr Abbott said he did not want the marriage laws to change.
But he said the issue would be a “matter for the post-election party room” if the Coalition won September’s federal poll.
“I’m not trying to say that the party is committed forever and a day to the current position,” he said.
“I’m saying that this will be a matter for the post-election party room.”
On Thursday, New Zealand’s parliament passed marriage equality legislation, becoming the first country in the Asia-Pacific region to legalise gay marriage.
But Mr Abbott says that does not mean New Zealand is more progressive than Australia.
“I think it means in this respect that New Zealand is just different,” he said.
Liberal frontbencher Christopher Pyne has also said the Liberal party could change its policy on keeping the Marriage Act.
He told Channel Nine the party room would decide on the policy if the Coalition wins government.
“We might well end up with some recognition of same-sex couples,” he said.
theguttertrash.com 
I doubt whether Abbott will change his position, but it is a genuine wakeup call to Gillard.
Abbott has previously used the excuse that he wouldn’t change the position the opposition took to the election, but changing this for the forthcoming election would eb a vote winner.
… but changing this for the forthcoming election would eb a vote winner.
As long as its written down of course …
… but it is a genuine wakeup call to Gillard. and by rights should be straight out of the ALP handbook for of human rights …
Most seriously progressive law changes are made by the Liberals.
Barry O’Farrell shines through as a good Catlck … he thinks a conscience vote would be popular.
The gay community has his support.
I almost replied to, James’, remark and then realised it was tongue in cheek … 🙂
Indigenous voting rights, female voting rights…….
Did you know Edith Cowan was a Conservative? *Gasp*
Snacty has compartmentalisation syndrome.
It’s the latent indoctrination…
Once a Cathlick always a Cathlick…
They just can’t help themselves..
Indigenous voting rights but limited … did you know that Aboriginal men weren’t called up for National Service (commenced in 1964) … only whites … and it was an Aboriginal (who was very angry at the time who told me in the 1970’s) …
Why is Edith Cowan being a tory important? It may be to you but not to me …
… as for female voting rights linked to the Liberals … that really is a bit spurious … given that the first females to vote were on Pitcairn Island and carried that right to Norfolk (if memory serves) … SA is acknowledged as the first (in the world) I believe to give female constituents the vote – albeit initially only land owners …
TB, Kiwi folks over the years have told me that NZ was the first to have all women, men, black, or white had the right to vote from day one in NZ, and it was optional, no compulsory registration/enrol-ment.
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Post. This is another stunt aimed at the hopeful and unwary, while the Torie-delusional`s will believe because they are told to. lf Mr-Rabbit was in any way serious Gay`Marriage would be part of his election platform. Hinting at `anything` is really just hinting at `nothing` in my book.
Gay`Marriage and other personal`Liberty`s should be the area Joolya`s mob makes ground on, but they are too self-absorbed with the Torie-surplus-fetish, and their own polling in which they are getting `poled`. ln 2010, Joolya made for herself a poisoned challis, and she just won`t stop guzzling from it. On tonight`s news she droned on about something, but my eyes glazed over.