Labor’s re-elected national president believes supporters of a conscience vote on gay marriage are yet to make a compelling case.
And Jenny McAllister says she has always been opposed to expanding uranium exports.
Ms McAllister, from the party’s Left faction, was yesterday declared the winner of the month-long ballot for the figurehead role after more than 12,000 votes were lodged by members.
The incumbent president fended off challenges from Transport Workers Union boss Tony Sheldon – whose profile grew in the wake of the Qantas grounding – and four other candidates from both sides of the party.
Mr Sheldon, from the Right, has secured one of two vice-president roles, along with Victorian rookie state MP Jane Garrett.
Under the current party structure, the three would each spend a year as national president, but this may change to Ms McAllister taking the role for the entire three years if mooted reforms are passed at next month’s national party conference.
Ms McAllister told The Weekend Australian yesterday it was a “real honour” to be re-elected to represent the party members as national president.
She said she supported a change of the platform at next month’s conference to allow for same-sex marriage.
“The time has come for Labor to respond to many people in the community that feel current arrangements are discriminatory and inequitable,” she said.
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