Queer groups around the country have welcomed the appointment of new Opposition Leader Kevin Rudd and his deputy, Julia Gillard and have called on them to lead an Australian Labor Party that recognises the equal rights of GLBTI Australians.

Gay and Lesbian Equality spokesperson, Rod Swift told OUTinPerth he hopes Mr Rudd can give a clear public statement as to Labor’s intentions should it win office.

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‘Similarly, we hope that shadow Attorney-General Kelvin Thomson will expand the scope and shorten the time frames for Federal law reforms proposed in former shadow Attorney-General Nicola Roxon’s draft bill.â?

Furthermore, GALE called for relationship recognition under a Rudd Federal Government. ‘We are hoping the he and the new Federal Labor Cabinet will listen to the broad community support for ending discrimination against same-sex couples quickly.â?

‘We would hope that Mr Rudd can give a clear public statement as to Labor’s intentions should it win office,â? stated Mr Swift. On taking office the new Opposition Leader made a commitment to engage with the community in developing ALP Policy.

‘We certainly believe that all members of the community should take the opportunity to express their concerns for Federal law reforms to both Opposition Leader Kevin Rudd and shadow Attorney-General Kelvin Thomson.â?

The New South Wales Gay and Lesbian Rights Lobby (GLRL) also congratulated the new ALP leader noting he has promised a new ‘styleâ? of leadership for the Labor Party.

‘Will this mean a new style of leadership that recognises the rights of GLBT Australians and puts an end to our relationships being treated as less than equal to others?â?

 ‘The new leadership of the Labor Party must make clear what it will do for the GLBT community,â? said media spokesperson, Simon Levett.

Both GALE and the NSW’s GLRL will be looking to meet with the new leaders of the Labor Party in the near future.

‘As part of that process, GALE will be engaging with to Mr Rudd and Mr Thomson to outline what we consider will be effective reforms to achieve equality under Federal law,â? stated Mr Swift.

‘We will meet with them to discuss federal issues affecting GLBT Australians and ensure that a Rudd-Gillard Labor Party prioritises law reform for the GLBT communityâ? added Ms Levett.

Tasmanian gay activists have already written to the new Federal Labor leader,  further urging him to support an overhaul of national relationship laws, including the enactment of a scheme for same-sex couple recognition, based on the Tasmanian Relationships Act.

“National relationship law is a mess of different and very discriminatory provisions for which the fair and inclusive Tasmania’s Relationship Act provides a ready-made solution,â? stated Tasmanian Gay and Lesbian Rights Group spokesperson, Rodney Croome.

“Tasmanian law not only formally recognises same-sex relationships on the same basis as married couples, but gives a very wide range of other significant relationships virtually equal status.”