The ACL denies democratic rights!

[SOURCE]

The ALP branches in each state have come out in support of marriage equality.  There’s now pressure on the national body of the ALP to make a change to their current policy, which is to support ‘traditional marriage’.  It’s amusing that our Prime Minister supports traditional marriage, while living in a non-traditional relationship.  Gillard is now said to favour a conscience vote among her MP’s.  An interesting and important shift.  It’s not enough; she should be giving it her outright support.

Not surprisingly, the Australian Christian Lobby, that lot who pretend to be the moral guides of all things to do with dangly bits on people, are up in arms that a political party could change their stances on an issue.  Jimmy “Wally” Wallace has got out his soap box and climb aboard his horse to shout it from the mountain tops. Pity the horse wouldn’t bolt over the top.

Of course, the right way to decide something is to ask people, get them voting on it.  It’s the way we do it in Australia.  Put it to a vote.  It doesn’t settle it once and for all, but at least you have people willing to says yes or no to something.  It seems that the ACL doesn’t want the democratic process to happen.  They’d like to stop any party from actually asking it’s members to vote on something, because they might not win.  I have to say, if this goes to a conscience vote in the Parliament, I don’t see it passing and any changes being made,there is still a long way to go.  It’s a pity that Wally can’t accept that there is a democratic principle being followed here.  He’s attempting to subvert the internal workings of a political party.  Just like you’d expect a lobby group to do.

Weekend media reports that Labor is weakening its position on marriage have implications for the Party’s and the Prime Minister’s election promises, according to the Australian Christian Lobby.

Why is it weakening a position to be considering a change for the better?

ACL Managing Director Jim Wallace said it was inconceivable that a major political party like Labor could remove from its policy platform something so fundamental to society and children as marriage between a man and a woman.

Umm…inconceivable?  A major political party changing policy?  I don’t think so. It’s also important to note that nobody is talking about removing marriage between a man and a woman.  Nobody is talking about putting the well being of children at risk, and there is no basis for the scare tactics that somehow children are at risk.

“We just find it unbelievable that a political party which seeks to retain Government would not retain as party policy something as basic as marriage between a man and a woman.

They are retaining marriage as between a man and a woman.  They will also consider marriage as between same sex couples.

“Allowing marriage to be redefined is something no political party should do,” Mr Wallace said.

But why?  You stood by and let Howard redefine it, despite it not being part of an election promise.  It can’t be said that Howard had a mandate from the people.  But changed it anyway, he put in that marriage was between one man and one woman, to the exclusion of all others for life.  Marriage has been redefined many times.  Again it needs to be redefined.

“If the Prime Minister’s compromise position of a conscience vote for MPs in return for the Left dropping the marriage debate from the ALP National Conference is adopted, the only way the election promises could not be breached is for no Parliamentary vote to take place until after the next election.

Election promises breached?  What’s the problem.

“The ALP, and the Prime Minister personally, contested the 2010 election with a clear commitment to maintaining marriage between a man and a woman.

Oh, Carbon Tax! Off shore processing!  GST! No Child will live in poverty!  Super Tax! For fuck sake get a grip.

“Election commitments apply to the term of the Parliament to which they were made. If Labor bows to the Greens’ timetable for a conscience vote next year this will be a breach of the election promise,” Mr Wallace said.

Core and non-core. It’s politics, you know how it works.  They say shit to get voted in, sometimes that shit changes to cement their power base.

“Until after the next election, the ALP must join with the Coalition to defeat any move on marriage if it is to maintain the integrity of its commitments to this constituency.”

That sounds like a directive Wally. Tell them what to do and how to do it. This is the precise reason that religion and politics should be kept separate.  As you’ve clearly demonstrated, this is about what you think your god wants, and you’re trying to force that attitude and opinion on the rest of us.  You christians can maintain your version of marriage, it doesn’t follow that the rest of society should respect or follow your rather stupid traditions.  It’s time to move on Wally.  You no longer have authority to dictate terms to anyone.

Get along to ido.org.au and find out how you can help achieve marriage equality in Australia.