Labor MP opposes Rudd on ACT civil unions

September 30, 2009

Activists in the ACT have welcomed the support of prominent federal MP, Bob McMullan, Member for Fraser, who tonight declared his support of ACT civil union ceremonies – despite opposition to the idea from the Rudd Government.

Mr McMullan, Parliamentary Secretary for International Development Assistance, told a community meeting in the Canberra suburb of Ainslie that he supports civil union ceremonies and marriage equality. Responding to a question from gay residents in the electorate, Mr McMullan said:

"If it came to a free vote in the Parliament, I will vote for civil unions and I will vote for gay marriage."

The statement was greeted with applause from residents present.

However, Mr McMullan said that if the ACT civil union ceremonies are challenged, they would probably be quashed by executive edict, rather than by a vote in the Federal Parliament.

John Kloprogge, spokesperson for Equal Love Canberra, said Mr McMullan's comments put further pressure on the Rudd Government not to quash the ACT's proposed amendments for official ceremonies.

"Residents in the ACT have had enough of the Rudd Government's attacks on same-sex ceremonies and on ACT self-government rights. Mr McMullan's words add to the chorus of people opposed to quashing the ACT's laws," Kloprogge said.

However, Kloprogge said that Mr McMullan still needs to convince his Labor colleagues not to override the proposed laws.

"Mr McMullan's support is warmly welcomed, but a key test of his commitment to our community will be how he uses his influence to persuade his Labor colleagues, including the Prime Minister, not to override the ACT's laws," he said.

"If the Rudd Government decides to proceed with executive action to quash ACT civil union ceremonies, it will reflect very badly on all members of the federal Labor Government," Kloprogge concluded.