Page 2651 - Week 08 - Wednesday, 10 August 2016
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However, I support Ms Burch’s motion because if the Liberal Party federally force this matter to a plebiscite, I want every LGBTIQ Canberran and their family to know that the ACT government under the leadership of our Chief Minister, Andrew Barr, is unequivocally on their side, that they are a valued part of our community and that, contrary to any messages that they may hear from our opponents, they have our respect.
MS BURCH (Brindabella) (4.26): I want to thank those supporting the motion I have moved today. Mr Hanson’s amendment is disappointing. Whilst he has come here and spoken quite calm words about respectful discussion, the clear way to be respectful in this discussion was just to allow the motion to go through. If you read it, it simply makes a statement of fact about where the federal dialogue is up to in relation to its plebiscite. It simply says that this government will support respectful and free debate and stand alongside our LGBTIQ community making sure that they are safe, regarded and respected in this debate.
It has been said that both sides of politics over the years have not addressed this issue, but that is not the reason to let another 16 years—or 16 days or16 months—pass without both sides of politics finally standing as one and saying, “This matter will be resolved”; that the LGBTIQ members of our community—the mums and dads, the brothers and sisters—have as much right to marriage equality as anyone else in our community has. As Ms Berry mentioned, the adults of today were 10 when serious laws were passed. Let us not wait for another generation to pass before this law is passed.
Mr Hanson has said that he will vote yes should there be a plebiscite, but he said that he will be a passive player. He is the Leader of the Opposition. He aspires to be a leader of the ACT. If we come to this place with aspirations to be leaders, we cannot be passive in such a fundamental debate. There is no room to be passive. The aspiration of the leader is to lead, not to sit back, be quiet and just hope the world will pass him by. This is his chance to stand up and make that call.
Just today Mr Hanson was quite prepared to stand up and show leadership in support of the community clubs. There is no shyness about where he stands on light rail and health. But on this matter, on such a fundamental right as marriage equality in our community, he wants to show no leadership. But on other matters he is not bashful in any way about showing leadership.
On the issue of school chaplaincies, he was not bashful in showing his leadership in supporting the school chaplains. But for allowing marriage and fairness and respect—the fundamental right of law for people to be married—he does not have the gumption to show leadership on that. Just quietly, privately, vote yes, but not show the leadership that his aspirations should show.
Yes, I did get your quote wrong. It was back in 2015, as I understand. I will quote an ABC news article:
Mr Hanson said he was not concerned that there were different views within the Canberra Liberals.
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