Since 1977, the Australian Democrats have fought for the rights of gay, lesbian and bisexual people, and more recently, those of transgender and intersex people. We are proud to have supported these groups, and proud that they have supported us. |
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| 2005 - STILL FIGHTING FOR EQUALITY
Same-sex couples do not have the same rights as other couples - in areas such as superannuation, industrial relations, welfare, immigration, taxation, health and family law.
For well over a decade the Democrats have sought every opportunity to bring about reform. We are the only party to consistently seek and vote for equal rights for GLBTI people in the Senate, and we support recognition of a range relationships including through marriage, as de-facto partners and through voluntary partner registration schemes, such as that operating in Tasmania.
In order to achieve these aims, in 1995 the Democrats' introduced the Sexuality and Gender Identity Discrimination Bill, where it has remained undebated ever since. For almost ten years both major parties have refused to support the Bill.
As well as the comprehensive reform offered through the Sexuality and Gender Identity Discrimination Bill, the Australian Democrats have also attempted to amend dozens of pieces of legislation to remove discrimination against GLBTI people. Almost every time the Democrats have introduced amendments relating to GLBTI people, Labor and the Coalition have voted together to block them - it took the Labor Party until 2003 before it finally agreed to support superannuation reform for the first time.
In 2004 the Prime Minister continued to use same-sex marriage, parenting, and lesbian access to IVF as a cattle call to conservatives nationwide.
In May, John Howard introduced legislation to prevent same sex couples from marrying and adopting children from overseas, which the Democrats successfully referred to a Senate inquiry. Following an anti-gay marriage forum in Parliament House on August 4, the Labor Party reneged on its support for the inquiry, and joined with the Government to pass a bill banning same-sex marriage, without debate, on August 13 2004. The Democrats vehemently opposed this legislation, and process of its passage, arguing that it enshrines discrimination in law, and sends the message that same-sex couples are second class citizens.
At the same time it announced the ban on marriage, the Government extended superannuation entitlements to same-sex couples through the creation of a new relationship category - "interdependency". The Democrats had campaigned for 8 years for removal of death taxes on superannuation left to same-sex partners, and the Government's acceptance of the Democrats negotiated interdependency category was a significant win for the Party and the community.
In 2005, the Democrats have continued to advocate for equality for GLBTI people and same-sex couples, and have been outspoken on issues relating to public sector superannuation, compensation to same-sex partners of military personnel, immigration issues, creation of a federal civil union scheme, and Australian support for a United Nations resolution on sexuality discirimination.
The Democrats are committed to continuing to work towards full equality for all GLBTI people and full recognition of same-sex relationships. Further information about the Democrats’ work towards full equality for gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender and intersex Australians can be found at the Carter Network website: www.carter.democrats.org.au
 THE DEMOCRATS' RECORD
At the last election, a record number of gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender Democrats stood as candidates for Parliament, and in 1998 Brian Greig became the first openly gay Democrats Senator elected to Federal Parliament.
The Australian Democrats have a long and proud record of action:
- Introduced the Sexuality Discrimination Bill 1995. Labor and the Coalition have combined since then to prevent it coming to a vote.
- Lobbied to lift the ban on gays and lesbians in the military.
- Moved successful amendments prohibiting discrimination in the workplace on the basis of sexuality.
- Voted to overturn Tasmania's anti-gay laws.
- Appointed the only parliamentary spokesperson on sexuality.
- Moved for the removal of heterosexist and gender specific language in all legislation and regulations.
- Won an extension of superannuation rights to same-sex couples.
In our 28th year, we continue the struggle for full equality for gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender and intersex Australians.
The Democrats will continue our proven commitment to seeking legislative reform, ensuring inclusion, and highlighting indifference, bigotry and homophobia within the Federal Parliament.
We challenge the other parties to join with us in working towards an inclusive and tolerant community for all Australians that is free of discrimination, harassment and violence.
JOIN THE DEMOCRATS
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LIES THE MAJOR PARTIES HAVE TOLD ABOUT FAMILIES
Tell them what you know to be the truth:
Actual quotes with contact details supplied.
"If a bloke is allowed to marry a bloke, what's to stop a man marrying his E-type Jaguar."
Senator Ross Lightfoot, quoted on Lateline, Friday 28th May 2004 senator.lightfoot@aph.gov.au
"I think it's important for those program producers to ensure they are not just responding to minorities."
Minister for Children, Larry Anthony, The Age, 4th June 2004 on Play School story featuring "Brenda" and her two mums. Larry.Anthony.MP@aph.gov.au
"Choosing to be part of it, part of that lifestyle, that's a choice… people have an absolute entitlement to make, but … if I choose a particular lifestyle, certain other things are not open to me. And I think in a free society that's fine, but you've got to recognise you can't have it all."
Deputy Prime Minister, John Anderson, Meet the Press, Sunday 6th June 2004 on same-sex marriage. John.Anderson.MP@aph.gov.au
"You're talking about a very, very small number and to intrude that into a children's television program is just being politically correct, and I think is an example of the ABC running an agenda."
Prime Minister, John Howard, The Age, 7th June 2004 in response to Playschool. www.pm.gov.au/email.cfm
"We know there is a shortage of children available for adoption, yet there are some people who would want to put that program at risk by prioritising, over and above couples who are wanting to adopt children, those in same-sex relationships, and putting at risk an international [adoption] program."
Attorney-General, Philip Ruddock, Hansard 31st May 2004, p. 29262 The Hon. Philip Ruddock MP
The Attorney General
House of Representatives
Parliament House
Canberra ACT 2600
Tel: (02) 6277 7300
Fax: (02) 6273 4102
"Well he was an active homosexual and so he was very sort of up-front and public in his homosexuality. We all tolerate people's private sexual preferences. That's a matter for them. But he was in his case very much in your face. Very overt. And it was a matter of some substantial embarrassment to the Australian Embassy. But there were allegations, if my memory serves me well, there were allegations that he might have been involved in child sex."
Foreign Affairs Minister, Alexander Downer, The John Laws Program, Radio 2UE, May 12th 2004, discussing death of William Brown following conviction of child sexual abuse. A.Downer.MP@aph.gov.au
"We won't change the Marriage Act to recognise same-sex marriage. Our priority is getting same-sex couples all of the recognition that other relationships have. We don't see that there's any reason to change the Marriage Act."
Nicola Roxon, Shadow Attorney General, Sydney Star Observer, Thursday 15th may 2004. Nicola.Roxon.MP@aph.gov.au |
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