ONE of the most powerful arguments Kevin Rudd made when explaining his late conversion to the cause of marriage equality was that it was in the best interests of children.
Arguing the case for civil society to recognise same-sex marriages, Rudd said he had overcome the remaining obstacle against such unions: the unforeseen consequences of children in such a relationship.
Yesterday, the Prime Minister elevated his conversion on gay marriage to a key election issue, challenging Tony Abbott to allow a conscience vote and raising the option of a referendum on the question if the Opposition Leader continued to refuse his MPs a free vote.
But given his support for children, I ask Rudd to spare a thought for the children.
Gay marriage is best settled, as it was in New Zealand, by the parliament. A referendum is legally unnecessary and potentially divisive. Children of gay couples and young gay people should not be subjected to a potentially divisive campaign that will debate the morality of homosexuality. It is counter-productive and potentially harmful. It is not the way we do things in Australia, and should never be.
If such a referendum were held it would receive majority support, but it would be a waste of time and divisive. Rudd is right: Abbott should commit to a conscience vote as his own gay sister has asked him to do.
Rudd has revealed he wants to make marriage equality a central feature of his re-election pitch because he has rightly determined that it is now a mainstream issue.
There would be few Australians who do not have a gay family member, friend or colleague, and the conclusion many have come to is that they deserve equal rights.
Rudd’s proud declaration yesterday that he was the first PM who was a “fully signed-up supporter of marriage equality” was a bold bid to capitalise on the growing support for gay marriage across the nation.
Rudd is entitled to use his conversion to this cause as a defining issue but he should keep it where it belongs: parliament.
Author: Patricia Karvelas
Publication: The Australian
Date: 29 June 2013