ALP conference backs binding vote on same-sex marriage after two terms
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Version 0 of 1. Labor MPs and senators will maintain a conscience vote for two terms of parliament on the issue of same-sex marriage before they are bound to vote in favour of it – after a last-minute deal between Bill Shorten and Tanya Plibersek at the party’s national conference. Tense negotiations on the issue dominated the third and final day of the Melbourne conference, but Shorten eventually brokered a compromise, after the previous day successfully shifting his party’s position to one that leaves open the option of turning back asylum seeker boats. As part of the same-sex marriage deal, Shorten promised he would move a motion for marriage equality within 100 days of becoming prime minister. Plibersek and the left appeared to have the numbers to win a resolution binding the Labor party MPs to support same-sex marriage in the next term of government, contrary to Shorten’s position in favour of a conscience vote. They agreed to the deal to push the binding vote out to the following term amid concerns from a small number of MPs and senators determined to use their free vote to oppose marriage equality, often because of religious views. Related: ALP conference 2015: same-sex marriage conscience vote for two terms, binding after that – as it happened The Labor compromise comes as parliament is expected to debate a same-sex marriage bill as early as August, and both Shorten and Plibersek challenged the prime minister, Tony Abbott, to also allow his MPs and senators a free vote on the issue. Plibersek, who has argued for a binding vote on an issue she sees as one of legal equality rather than conscience, said the delay on marriage equality was because Abbott would not allow his members a free vote. “The current parliament has the numbers to pass marriage equality,” she said. Related: ALP conference: struggle over same-sex marriage stance continues “If this government doesn’t pass marriage equality a Shorten Labor government will in its first 100 days.” Shorten said it was a “simple, overdue change that sends a powerful message”. Former senator Louise Pratt said the motion would eventually “end the right of a minority of MPs in our party to interfere with our marriage rights”. An emotional Labor senate leader and long-term same sex marriage advocate Penny Wong received a standing ovation as she spoke on the issue. She said the “aspiration for equality is remarkably persistent” because “it is a campaign for those we love”. The final resolution says “conference resolves that the matter of same-sex marriage can be freely debated at any state or federal forum of the Australian Labor party, but any decision reached is not binding on any member of the party. This resolution is rescinded upon the commencement of the 46th parliament”. Faction leaders spent the day in backroom wrangling over the issue of marriage equality, party rules and recognition of Palestine. The conference agreed to new affirmative action targets that will see a minimum percentage of female members of 45% by 2022 and 50% by 2025. Importantly, Labor rules have been strengthened to ensure the targets are enforced with a clause that if the requirements are not met, a fresh ballot must be called. But in spite of expectations ahead of the federal conference and a fracturing of factional loyalties, the push for greater democratisation of the party failed to materialise. Proposals for greater grassroots input into the preselection of Senate and lower house positions failed. ALP president Mark Butler was elected on a platform of greater democratisation last month and, at the time, he said members constantly stressed they want more direct say on important decisions made within the party. “They want to be able to vote to select Labor candidates for the Senate and legislative councils, for delegates to national conference and more,” he said in June. “This ballot – and the leadership ballot of 2013 – clearly demonstrates that providing greater direct influence to rank-and-file members helps to energise the party, improving our campaigning ability on the ground. “Over recent years, giants of our party like Bob Hawke, Neville Wran, John Faulkner, Steve Bracks and Bob Carr have recommended such changes to our party. “The national conference in July is high time for the party to respond to those calls.” One of the most fiery debates of the conference was around NSW opposition leader Luke Foley’s successful motion to review the party’s socialist objective with a view to replacing it. “This conference resolves to commence a review of our socialist objective, with a view to replacing the existing language with the most appropriate and modern set of principles and objectives for the Australian Labor party,” the motion said. Foley said Labor party should pay homage to Labor’s “whole tradition”, not just part of the tradition. “The role of the state today is not about state ownership,” Foley said. “The modernising reforms of Paul Keating, Gough Whitlam and Neville Wran are as authentic a part of Labor tradition as Ben Chifley and Jack Lang.” A number of delegates turned their back on Foley as he spoke. He was followed by Senator Kim Carr who argued vehemently against Foley’s motion – to keep the socialist objective. “Comrade Foley I could not disagree with you more,” said Carr. |