The Christian Lobby
December 17th 2007 22:12
Christian lobby supports PM's same-sex stance ABC REPORTPosted Mon Dec 17, 2007 5:48pm AEDT
The Australian Christian Lobby has backed the Federal Government's position on same-sex relationships, which includes state-based relationship registers.
Prime Minister Kevin Rudd has restated his view that marriage should be between heterosexual couples, although he says discrimination in areas such as inheritance should be removed for same-sex couples.
The stance could frustrate the ACT Government's bid to pass a Bill recognising civil partnerships.
The state-based registers for same-sex relationships are to remove discrimination in areas such inheritance, tax and social security.
The Christian Lobby's Jim Wallace says Mr Rudd is on the right track.
"I think most Australians would appreciate this," he said.
"I think most Australians believe in marriage between a man and a woman [but] don't want to see it mimicked, but at the same time would agree we should remove unfair discrimination between homosexual couples as well." Report Ends
What a delicate dance this is, eh? The trade off for a soft approach on gay marriage is a civil register that would remove unjust discrmination. Is this a workable compromise? I think it probably is. It will upset some extremists on both sides, but satisfy the majority. I'm impressed by the ACL's mature approach to lobbying. Talk of the Christian constituency being betrayed by Rudd was always going to be premature. It also represents a real shift if conservative opinion - real movement in gay law reform.
The Australian Christian Lobby has backed the Federal Government's position on same-sex relationships, which includes state-based relationship registers.
Prime Minister Kevin Rudd has restated his view that marriage should be between heterosexual couples, although he says discrimination in areas such as inheritance should be removed for same-sex couples.
The stance could frustrate the ACT Government's bid to pass a Bill recognising civil partnerships.
The state-based registers for same-sex relationships are to remove discrimination in areas such inheritance, tax and social security.
The Christian Lobby's Jim Wallace says Mr Rudd is on the right track.
"I think most Australians would appreciate this," he said.
"I think most Australians believe in marriage between a man and a woman [but] don't want to see it mimicked, but at the same time would agree we should remove unfair discrimination between homosexual couples as well." Report Ends
What a delicate dance this is, eh? The trade off for a soft approach on gay marriage is a civil register that would remove unjust discrmination. Is this a workable compromise? I think it probably is. It will upset some extremists on both sides, but satisfy the majority. I'm impressed by the ACL's mature approach to lobbying. Talk of the Christian constituency being betrayed by Rudd was always going to be premature. It also represents a real shift if conservative opinion - real movement in gay law reform.
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