Andrew Barr, the Chief Minister of the ACT has joined the growing number of high profile Labor politicians calling for the party to confirm a binding vote on marriage equality.
Currently Labor MPs can choose whether or not to support marriage equality. The party’s official policy position is that they are for marriage equality but they do not require MPs to vote along party lines.
In recent days there has been a number of high profile Labor members suggesting that the party should change their position at their annual conference in July. Deputy Leader Tanya Plibersek and voiced her support for the change and Shadow Health Minister Catherine King has also shown her support.
The suggestion has been criticised by Liberal MP Dean Smith who said that the suggestion of a change of stance by the Labor party would jeopardise progress made within the Liberal party. Currently Liberal MPs must vote against marriage equality, there have been repeated calls to allows Liberal MP’s a free vote or conscience vote on the issue.
It is notable that the Cheif Minister, Andrew Barr, is a member of Labor’s right faction, and section of the party that usually calls for more conservative thinking. Yesterday powerful union leader Joe Du Bruyn described the calls for a binding vote as “foolish”.
Mr Barr has said the issue be above factional politics.
“I think this is a matter of fundamental equality for the Labor Party and in this instance I think it important that all of the delegates to the national conference make a decision, independent of their factional position, and vote on the merits of the issue.” Mr Barr told the Canberra Times.
Mr Barr was appointed the Chief Minister of the ACT in December 2014, making him the first openly gay leader of an Australian government. Mr Barr Replaced Katy Gallagher who resigned so she could take up a seat in the federal senate.
OIP staff
