The Prime Minister faced the unavoidable call for to her to explain her position against same sex marriage and her opposition to her own party’s policy when she appeared on the ABCs program Q&A on Monday night. The question from the audience was from father Geoff Thomas who previously asked opposition leader Tony Abbot to explain his position on the same program.
Here’s what happened during the exchange,
‘My name is Geoff Thomas, I’m a Vietnam Veteran. I’m a plumbing contractor. I’m the proud father of a gay son. Almost two years ago I asked Tony Abbot whether he’d be prepared to treat gay and lesbian Australians with the dignity and respect he would accord all other Australians, and over that period he hasn’t changed his view but I believe that you have.
‘The country now knows that you stand side by side and as one with Tony Abbot and the extremist group the Australian Christian Lobby on this issue. Could you please explain to me that in a country that prides itself on freedom, equality and tolerance, how it is that denying same sex couples the right to marry is any way, or any sense, fair, just or consistent with the way Australians think today.
The Prime Minister replied,
‘Thank you for your question, and I can hear the passion in your voice and the concern for your son. So to hear from you is an important part of this evening. I am going to take a different view from you though and I do want to explain my view.
‘I of all people, I think people in this room and beyond this room know a bit about my personal life, I of all people, would sit before you and say I think you can have a relationship love and commitment and trust and understanding that doesn’t need a marriage certificate associated with it. That’s my life experience so I’m speaking from that life experience.
‘It then becomes a question, you know if you believe as I do, that people can have deep and committed relationships without a marriage certificate, it become an issue about how are we going to deal with this cultural institution of long standing in Australian society and are we going to try and change it, to fit circumstances where people are in love and deeply committed but don’t fit the current marriage act or are we going to grow up new traditions and norms that embrace that.
‘I’ve taken a particular view about it, you know it’s a view that some people may look at me and think that’s an odd one for her to hold but it is a view I hold and I hold very deeply. And that’s how I’ll vote when these things come before the parliament. But I’ve certainly become persuaded that its not for me to tell my Labor colleagues or anybody else what they should believe or how they should vote when it comes to the parliament. So I’ve ensured that when it does Labor people are able to vote any which way they choose in accordance with their heart, the conscience, their community and I suspect that large number will vote the same way as me.’
The Prime Minister’s renewed opposition to same sex marriage has been discribed as disapointing by Alex Grenwich National Convener of Australian Marriage Equality. In a statement Mr Grenwich said,
‘The Prime Minister is able to choose not to marry, however this choice is denied to many same-sex couples who desperately want to celebrate the traditions of marriage and have the legal protection, security and recognition that comes with marriage.
‘The Prime Minister may not want to marry herself, but most Australians value the importance of marriage greatly, and as such want their gay and lesbian friends to have equal access and be treated as equal citizens by the marriage act.’
Mr Grenwich said the Prime Ministers comments would be seen as hurtful by many gay and lesbian couples.
The Prime Minister’s comments were welcomed by Australian Christian Lobby’s Managing Director Jim Wallace, who said via a statement,
‘While the activist Geoff Thomas was heartfelt in his concern, the PM was right to point out that his claims about inequality were wrong following law reform supporting same-sex couples passed in 2008.’
OIP Staff
