Marriage Equality advocates are calling on Western Australian Premier Colin Barnett to take a harder line with outspoken Southern Metropolitan MLC Nick Goiran following his speech linking same sex marriage to incestuous relationships.
Yesterday when asked by reporters about Mr Goiran’s comments the Premier refused to be drawn on whether or not he felt they were offensive to LGBT people. The Premier said the comments were “inappropriate” and that he did see the logic in Mr Goiran’s argument.
The Premier said he was not the type of leader to censor what members of his party could say.
Brian Greig, Western Australian Convener of Marriage Equality Australia said the Premiers response was not sufficient and called on the Premier to take more direct action against Mr Goiran.
“It’s not enough for the Premier to hide behind ‘freedom of speech’, these comments are wrong and offensive and must be condemned by community leaders,” said Mr Greig.
Ivan Hinton, Australian Marriage Equality’s Deputy National Director, labeled the comments are “disrespectful”.
“Marriage Equality is about allowing the current definition of marriage to embrace same sex couples, not radically changing marriage to include other types of relationships.”
Mr Hinton said Mr Goiran’s comments were a reminder why a referendum on the subject would be inappropriate.
“Very quickly we’d find ourselves facing a nasty fear campaign based on irrelevant and offensive arguments of incest, polygamy and bestiality,” said Mr Hinton.
Earlier this week on the SBS program ‘Insight’ Senator Penny Wong outlined she was against a referendum on the issue as she didn;t believe society was ready for a respectful discussion.
“If we don’t have a capacity yet to have a compassionate and respectful discussion in the Parliament, then I certainly would be very fearful or concerned about having it more broadly,” said Senator Wong.
Graeme Watson
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