So, while we learn today that the conservative Prime Minister of the UK is not opposed to marriage equality, the Australian Labor Party works to make things even worse for gay Australians:
Last week, the Gillard government informed marriage equality advocates that it would uphold the ban (born under the Howard Government), on issuing Australian same-sex couples the documents they need to marry overseas.
The move directly contradicts the finding of last year’s Senate inquiry which recommended that the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade issue Certificates of Non-Impediment to same sex couples that wish to get married overseas.
Frankly, I don’t understand how any social progressive could still give the ALP their first preference.
And if anyone’s thinking that the ALP has done enough to tackle homophobia with its “separate but equal” legislative amendments, let me relate what I was told by a gentleman at the Ringwood pre-polling booth today:
I couldn’t vote for the Greens because I don’t approve of Bob Brown’s personal life.
There’s a long way to go. And we’re not going to get there while we continue to insist that gay people deserve to be discriminated against by government.
Moved On 
Aaaagh… I have less and less reason to vote Labor daily. The terrifying thing is that at the same time I’m barracking really hard for her due to the quite possible horror of an Abbott victory
“The terrifying thing is that at the same time I’m barracking really hard for her due to the quite possible horror of an Abbott victory”
I think I’m going to end up schizophrenic too.
We so badly need a third major party: let’s hope it’s the Greens and it happens this election.
“I have less and less reason to vote Labor daily”
Slightly off topic, but if Gillard loses this election will it harm all female pollies? Ie; will it give the old guard the ammunition to turn around and say; “told you so”?
I fear it will.
What do others think?
Not only that it will turn the whole nation off rangas! The ALP is dying of gingervitis.
The fate of Peter Costello should have been a warning to all. 😉
Right or wrong I have a feeling it will be a long time before Qld, NSW, Vic or WA have a female premier again.
i was of the understanding that same-sex marriages done overseas aren’t recognised in australia anyway?
so why would the government refuse to issue a certificate of no impediment, if the mariage has no standing in australia anyway?
spite?
Yup, spite.
Ronsondalby: I think you mean Labor premier.
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