ALP National President Elections

The Australian Rainbow Labor Network (ARLN) asked the 6 National Candidates for ALP President their views on marriage equality, anti-discrimination legislation and the role of the LGBTI community and the Labor Party.

As a member or supporter, please consider these responses when voting for your prefered candidate for National President.

Claire Moore:
Do you support equal marriage rights for all Australians? Yes - I believe that all adult couples should be able to marry if they so choose
Do you have anything you would like to add in relation to the issue of equal marriage? it is about time
Would you support changes to Federal Anti-Discrimination Legislation to include gender/sex status and sexuality? Yes
What do you believe the role of the National President is in relation to engaging members of the LGBTI community and relevant organisations in the development of the Labor platform and policies in Australia? there must be open access and involvement with members and branches, as well as links with Rainbow Labor

Jane Garrett:
Do you support equal marriage rights for all Australians? Yes - I believe that all adult couples should be able to marry if they so choose
Do you have anything you would like to add in relation to the issue of equal marriage? I believe that marriage equality is a fundamental issue of human rights and I have worked very hard over many years in the party and in my community to bring about this important change. My longstanding commitment to marriage equality is reflected in the values I have spoken about in this campaign and I have made it very clear that I will continue be a strong advocate for change, including at the upcoming ALP National Conference.
Would you support changes to Federal Anti-Discrimination Legislation to include gender/sex status and sexuality? Yes
What do you believe the role of the National President is in relation to engaging members of the LGBTI community and relevant organisations in the development of the Labor platform and policies in Australia? I am standing for National President to give the rank and file a stronger voice at the highest levels of the party and ensuring that our policy development process is robust and responsive to the views and knowledge of party members, constituent units and our community supporter base. This is no less important for the LGBTI community, and particularly for the activists in the party who have worked very tirelessly on these important issues for many years. I will continue to be a passionate advocate for these views being listened to and respected.

John Lannan
Do you support equal marriage rights for all Australians? Yes - I believe that all adult couples should be able to marry if they so choose
Do you have anything you would like to add in relation to the issue of equal marriage? Not really. I think if two single adults, of whatever gender or sex, wish to marry under Australian law, they should be allowed to do so.
Would you support changes to Federal Anti-Discrimination Legislation to include gender/sex status and sexuality? Yes
What do you believe the role of the National President is in relation to engaging members of the LGBTI community and relevant organisations in the development of the Labor platform and policies in Australia? As president of the ALP I will encourage members of the LGBTI community who share the values of the ALP to join and participate in platform and policy development. I will also support reforms of the ALP to increase membership democracy and to shift power towards rank and file ALP members including LGBTI members. I will also support the ALP engaging with community groups, including LGBTI representatives in the development of the Labor platform and policies

Jenny McAllister
Do you support equal marriage rights for all Australians? Yes - I believe that all adult couples should be able to marry if they so choose
Do you have anything you would like to add in relation to the issue of equal marriage? Not everyone wants to marry. But those that do seek not only to make a commitment to their partner, but support from their community for that relationship. I think all Australians deserve that opportunity.
Would you support changes to Federal Anti-Discrimination Legislation to include gender/sex status and sexuality? Yes
What do you believe the role of the National President is in relation to engaging members of the LGBTI community and relevant organisations in the development of the Labor platform and policies in Australia? Labor has worked with the LGBTI community over decades to achieve significant reform, and individuals from that community have made an enormous contribution to our party. I'm keen to see that relationship flourish as part of a broader push to reconnect Labor with its members and supporters. As National President, I want to help lead that push, and I'd welcome and champion the involvement of the LGBTI community.

Tony Sheldon
(Tony provided a written response, however did not complete the survey)

Firstly, I support marriage equality. I believe people should be able to form their own families free from any discrimination or judgement by the State. I’ll be participating in the campaign waged by Rainbow Labor and others to persuade the community of the merits of this reform.

This effort should try to heal the deep divisions that exist in Australia over marriage equality. If conference accepts your resolution, and the goal of marriage equality is included in Labor’s Platform, then Labor should be neither overwhelmed by this division, nor excessively dismissive of it.

Instead Labor must be persuasive. It must eschew pyrrhic victories (they belong to The Greens Party), and instead reach out to opponents; respect the cause of their opposition (including religious causes); and employ language that is neither hostile or judgmental - but is hopeful and empowering. This strategy is the same strategy used by every social movement that has won lasting social change. In my thirty years of Labour movement activism, I’ve learnt that if passionate debates are conducted respectfully, then change will be accepted, and reforms will be achieved.

Finally, I understand that Rainbow Labor has received official Party recognition in Victoria. I congratulate you on that outcome. You’ll note that in my submission to the ‘Carr/Bracks/Faulkner’ Review I advocated for that reform. 

If elected President, I hope to see Rainbow Labor receive official Party recognition in every state by the end of my term, and I hope Rainbow Labor remains the premier place for the Party’s gay and lesbian members to organise for lasting change.

Gai Brodtmann
(Gai provided a written response, however did not complete the survey)

The same-sex marriage debate will be decided at National Conference.
As a member of caucus, I will abide by the position of the party and government, whatever the outcome. 
That said, I voted in favour of same-sex marriage at the ACT Labor Conference. I believe government must legislate in a way that does not discriminate on ethnicity, religion, gender or sexual orientation. 

This is a matter of deep personal conscience. I have the utmost respect for the strongly held views on both sides of the debate. In the last 12 months, I have been contacted by many constituents on the issue, and found every advocate to be passionate, respectful and eloquent.
The National Policy Committee worked with Rainbow Labor and a range of community and business organisations in developing the draft platform. I will continue to work with Rainbow Labor, particularly on ageing policy. 

I will also continue to advocate for:
• Greater member participation in decision making 
• Greater member engagement in the policy process
• An improved quality of experience for members of the party