Channel Nine are set to air a major interview with Julia Gillard tonight and the former Prime Minister has changed her stance on marriage equality.
In the interview the former Prime Minister rreportedly said;
“I’ve got what may be in the modern age a kind of old-fashioned, feminist view about, can we take the traditional institution of marriage and stretch it? Or do you create some other way of solemnising relationships and recognising them as of worth and status?”
“When I was a young feminist I would’ve said overwhelmingly the gay community was on that track too, but things have changed.
“I accept the course of human history now is that we are going to see same-sex marriage here and in most parts of the developed world.”
During her time in office the Prime Minister was opposed to marriage equality, stating that from her feminist background she believed all relationships were equal regardless of marital status.
Gillard’s change in stance has been welcomed by Australian Marriage Equality. National Director Rodney Croome said it was a good time for other MP’s to reconsider their stance on this issue.
“I urge those Labor MPs who continue to be conflicted about marriage equality to consider Julia Gillard’s comments and ensure they are on the right side of history when marriage equality is next voted on.”
“Equality and choice are two key feminist principles which Ms Gillard lost sight of by opposing marriage equality and hopefully they are now coming back in to focus,” Croome said.
Ray Martin’s interview with Julia Gillard airs at 7pm on Channel Nine.