not too much

Greens Senator Bob Brown has criticised Labor's decision to support the Howard government's legislation to outlaw same-sex marriage as "politics over principle". There is little love lost between the Greens and either the conservative Government or the Labor opposition - at least on this issue!

Falling in line with Prime Minister Howard's view of same-sex marriage is failing not just the gay and lesbian communities of Australia but the huge section of the Australian community which supports equality before the law for all Australians. It's a case of putting pragmatism as assessed by Labor ahead of its own principle of non-discrimination.

Labor says that in government it will remove discrimination in Commonwealth legislation on the basis of sexuality yet it has decided to back the Howard amendments that cut right across this commitment. This is John Howard aping US President Bush and Opposition leader Mark Latham is joining the line.

The Greens support equality before the law and in defence of this principle we will oppose the government's legislation and seek to refer it to a Senate inquiry.

Of the Australian political parties represented in Parliament, the Greens have by far the best policy concerning Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Intersex people. This is their official summary of a larger policy document:

Diversity, Respect, EqualitySummary of Australian Greens policy concerning Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Intersex People, Aug 2001

Diversity. The Australian Greens believe that the acceptance and celebration of diversity, including sexuality and gender diversity, is essential for genuine social justice and equality. Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Intersex (LGBTI) people are an important, valuable part of this diversity and Australia must cherish their significant contributions.

Respect. The Australian Greens are committed to actively enhance the status of LGBTI people at all times and will speak out at every opportunity against prejudice, fear and hatred of LGBTI people. We work to end harassment, abuse, vilification, stigmatisation, discrimination, disadvantage or exploitation because a person is LGBTI or perceived to be.

Equality. The Australian Greens will work to amend all legislation to actively recognise LGBTI people and remove language that discriminates against LGBTI people, including heterosexist or inappropriate gender-specific references. We will propose the legalisation of marriage and de facto relationships between two people irrespective of their sex and gender identity and achieve the equal treatment of all such relationships in law and government policy.