This week has seen a tumultuous clash in the Senate over marriage equality and the politics of voting reform, with Labor and The Greens clashing repeatedly over the last few days.
Yesterday in the Senate, Labor Senator Alex Gallacher read a letter from a constituent in which Greens LGBTI spokesperson Senator Robert Simms is referred to as a “gay victim”.
Rising to contribute to the debate, Senator Gallacher told the Senate he wished to commit some of the feedback he had received on recent events to the official Hansard.
Reading from the letter Senator Gallacher said, “Dear Robert, Stop the feigned bleeding heart crap, you’re not the only gay victim, the Greens have done a greater disservice to democracy and egalitarianism by supporting a revised senate voting system that will virtually ensure that almost 25% of Australians…”
Senator Simms objected to Senator Gallacher’s comments on the grounds of unparliamentary language, which Nationals Senator Bridget McKenzie and Deputy President of the Senate supported.
“If it may please the Senate and you, I will withdraw the imputation on Senator Simms’ character or whatever you require,” Gallacher told the Senate.
Senator Simms rebuked Senator Gallacher on his own Facebook page writing, “I know you don’t like senate voting reform, Labor, but this is a bit much.”
“And for the record, I’m not a ‘gay victim’.”
OIP Staff
Sources
