Calls on Turnbull to Condemn Offensive Young Liberal Motion

Rainbow Labor (NSW) has called on the Parliamentary leadership of the Liberal Party to condemn a Young Liberal motion to cease funding to Mardi Gras which linked the festival to HIV/AIDS and ‘deviant sexual practices’.

The Willoughby branch of the Young Liberals put a motion to the NSW Young Liberal Council saying it is ‘inappropriate to subsidise an event that promotes promiscuity and deviant sexual practices when the HIV/AIDS rate in Australia has increased due to unprotected sex between men’.

However, Malcolm Turnbull publicly endorsed the Mardi Gras Festival in the official 2009 season guide as Leader of the Opposition.

‘This Young Liberal motion is offensive, factually incorrect and out of touch with the broader community. Malcolm Turnbull backed Mardi Gras as Leader of the Opposition. If he wants us to take his leadership seriously, he needs to condemn the Willoughby branch of the Young Liberals,’ said Michael Vaughan, Rainbow Labor NSW convenor.

‘The Willoughby Young Liberals have crossed the line. Malcolm Turnbull cannot allow the Liberal Party to become a vehicle for this kind of inflammatory and discriminatory language,’ said Mr Vaughan.

SMH Article: http://www.smh.com.au/national/fattys-nemesis-finds-support-20090824-ewlu.html

Media Enquiries: Michael Vaughan 0413 473 773