GLBT rights groups anticipate gay rights law reform following Labor’s landslide victory in the federal election on Saturday, November. Nationally, Labor won 52.9% of the vote to the Liberal’s 47.10%, a national swing of 5.64%. Labor won a majority of the votes in every state, except for Western Australia where Liberals won 46.34% and Labor 37.17%. However, this still represents an increase for Labor and swing away from the Liberals from the last election.
In their election platform, the ALP committed to removing discrimination against same-sex couples in the 58 federal laws identified by the Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission (HREOC) in their Same Sex: Same Entitlements report released in June of this year. Prior to the election, the Liberals had indicated support for only one piece of legislation identified in HREOC’s report – superannuation.
Unlike both major parties, the Greens have a platform of full equality for gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender people, including marriage rights. The Greens picked up 7.53% of the vote, an increase of 0.34% from the last election.
In light of the pre-election promises, many groups advocating for GLBT equality have welcomed the change in leadership.
Peter Johnson, Co-Convenor of the Gay and Lesbian Rights Lobby (GLRL) said, ‘In 2007, same-sex couples should not have fewer rights and responsibilities than other Australians. John Howard failed to understand this and went to the election refusing to recognize the need for change. Before the election, the Coalition offered to change only one of the 58 offensive pieces of legislation.’
Fellow GLRL Co-Convenor Emily Gray said that she believed the difference in party platforms influenced gay and lesbian voters.
‘At this election Labor promised to rectify the significant discrimination faced by lesbians and gays in areas such as superannuation, medicare, tax and benefits. Rudd himself has committed to removing the 58 pieces of discriminatory legislation denying same-sex couples basic entitlements and benefits. This was recognized at ballot boxes all over the country, in particular in seats like Grayndler and Sydney. Many booths in those suburbs with a strong lesbian and gay community have swing heavily to Labor. This shows that lesbians and gays will vote for a major political party, but only when offered concrete policies.’
With the election results in, groups are poised to see that the Labor Party follows through on their promises. Spokesperson for the Australian Coalition for Equality Rod Swift said that ‘as soon as a new Attorney-General is appointed we will seek a meeting to set a timetable for reform… Our job will be to keep Labor to its promises, and to ensure it fulfills the great hopes it has raised for reform.’
Health organizations have also shown support for Labor’s commitment to GLBT health issues. According to the National GLBT Health Alliance, the ALP has said it will review aged care to ensure that GLBT needs in aged care are accounted for. The party has also committed to extending the Commonwealth Dental Health Program to low income people living with HIV/AIDS.
Don Baxter, Executive Director of the Australian Federation of AIDS Organisations (AFAO) said, ‘National leadership faltered under the previous federal government and Commonwealth investment in AIDS programs was allowed to steadily decrease over the last decade – yet HIV infections have been on the rise for the last five years in all states except New South Wales… Keeping health promotion relevant for people at risk of HIV requires leadership, commitment, creativity, good research and adequate funding. We look forward to Labor working with us to restore an effective response.’
Under the former government, HIV infections have increased by 41% over the past 5 years, while funding for HIV research has dropped.
Leadership within the Liberal Party has also shifting following the election. After John Howard’s defeat, the Liberal Party voted on a new party leader, with Liberal MP for Wentworth Malcolm Turnbull losing the intra-party vote to former Defense Minister Brendan Nelson 45-42. Nelson has announced that the Liberal Party, under his leadership, will support the passing of HEREOC recommendations, though gay marriage, IVF and adoption remain off the agenda.
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