Written 2/12/12
While public sector strikes over changes to pensions dominate news in the UK, and the Climate Change talks continue in Durban, here in Australia the hottest political issue of the weekend is the ALP's discussion on whether to change their policy position on same sex marriage.
Ironically this debate at its annual conference in Sydney occurs just after World Aids Day and when Elton John is in town for concerts both here and in the Hunter Valley. The debate appears, based on the opinion of those who have analysed the make up of the ALP, destined to herald a historic change. The supporters of change clearly, and rightly in my opinion, see this as a human rights issue. How can you claim to support equality and oppose discrimination yet deny a feature of life that is enshined in the UN declaration of human rights.
The Labor Prime Minister Julia Gilliard appears to have forced herself into a corner by proposing that Labor MPs be given a free vote on the issue,by insisting on what she calls a "conscience clause". This ,to me, fails to take into account the essence of democracy; democracies should be judged not on how the majority is treated, but by how the majority view and treat minorities. Denying human rights to minorities, is a denial of democracy.
Politicians here, as in the UK, ponder over whether there are votes in it. The ALP have been accused of having this debate because they are under pressure from the left, the Australian Greens being the one party to openly support same sex marriage. Social reform requires those in power to show political leadership, once change is initiated, public opinion often follows. Waiting for "the public" or "let's get the media on our side" is an abdication of responsibility of politicians to lead public opinion rather than slavishly follow it.
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