Wednesday, June 30, 2010

Gillard says no to gay marriage

Prime Minister Julia Gillard has affirmed existing Labor Party policythat marriage is between a man and a woman.

“We believe the marriage act is appropriate in its current form, that is recognising that marriage is between a man and a woman, but we have as a government taken steps to equalise treatment for gay couples,” Ms Gillard told Austereo radio.

Asked if this was also her personal belief, she said it was.

Ms Gillard's statement is being seen as strategic in not further distancing the Christian vote after yesterday's admission that she is an atheist.

Marriage and its legal definition is one of the most sensitive issues for Christian and church leaders and both former Prime Minister Kevin Rudd and Opposition leader Tony Abbott were very clear in their Make it Count webcast on June 21 that they would be preserving the current marriage act.
 

3 comments:

  1. I think you're right about not distancing the christian vote.

    Hopefully once the election is out the way she can overcome some of the pandering cowards in her own party and make a start on fixing this matter.

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  2. I didn't know that Julia Gillard said she was an atheist she said she was not religious a big difference.

    What if she is agnostic? or a humanist. I really doubt that Julia Gillard or the Labor party would put the government at risk anymore after removing Rudd if they did not feel Gillard had a chance.

    Wayne Swan could have gone for it and been supported, but Gillard was. If the Labor party dont get in then the ALP and the right faction of NSW wanted the Liberals in and Abbott as the PM

    Why not address Australian's all at once why just the Christian voters? I disagreed with what Rudd and Abbott did. Australia is for all people not just Christians.

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  3. Thanks 'anarchymumma' for your comments. I agree that it is not easy to discuss someone's private beliefs as it is hard to know exactly what their feelings are. However in er-listening to the ABC radio interview with John Fain,Ms Gillard was asked directly, 'Do you believe in God?' And her answer was 'No I don't, I'm not a religious person.'
    You are right to point out the distinction between atheism and not being religious - in fact many Christians would also say they are not religious.
    Finally, I take your point re addressing concerns of all voters, not just Christians. It is ou hope at ACV that by covering the issues fairly and intelligently, that the site will be of benefit to all voters, especially much of the general election information. But we did see a need for Christians to be better informed and also for their to be a forum for Christians and those of other perspectives to discuss issues such as we are doing now. Kind regards.

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