Kevin Rudd is being urged to sponsor the next marriage equality bill from the backbench, capitalising on his pledge during the election campaign to make the issue a priority in the first 100 days of a re-elected Labor government.
The former prime minister’s involvement emerged as Labor’s national secretary, George Wright, declared Mr Rudd’s support for marriage equality – and Labor’s campaigning on the issue – did not do it any damage at the election.
Sources said Mr Rudd was very committed to the change and would consider sponsoring a private member’s bill to be put to the House of Representatives.
Mr Rudd’s office last night declined to comment when asked if this was an option he was considering.
One source said that those Labor MPs who were trying to force Mr Rudd to quit parliament did not see the positive contribution he could make, particularly on marriage equality.
One of Mr Rudd’s closest supporters, former minister Kim Carr, said he hoped Mr Rudd would write books, continue his work on foreign affairs and contribute to delivering marriage equality.
“He has a great deal to contribute to the next parliament and to the people of Griffith. He writes well, and could contribute internationally and I would like to see him write on matters that concern social democracy,” Senator Carr said.
Asked about Mr Rudd’s ongoing role on marriage equality, Senator Carr said: “I would look forward to his contribution. As a backbencher, he can create a whole new culture within the parliamentary Labor Party.”
Senator Carr, who said he did not know whether Mr Rudd was considering sponsoring a private member’s bill on same-sex marriage, said he was disappointed at the continuing efforts to demonise senior Labor members.
Another senior MP who would not be named said Mr Rudd’s work on marriage equality was “not over”.
Mr Wright said the view put forward by the Christian lobby that Labor’s position on marriage equality during the election campaign had caused it damage was wrong.
“I have seen no objective analysis that would support that view,” Mr Wright said.
“Our feedback suggested that a lot of our members and supporters were strongly in favour of the position we took,” he said, debunking the theory that it had hurt Labor in its heartland.
Australian Marriage Equality national director Rodney Croome said Mr Rudd would be a great co-sponsor of a marriage equality bill because he was a Christian.
“We applaud Kevin Rudd’s continued commitment to a reform that will strengthen relationships and families and will return Australia to the company of our closest allies,” he said.
“Mr Rudd would make a great co-sponsor because he can allay the concerns of other people of faith and reassure them this is a reform they too can support. But no one MP or party can get this reform through by themselves.”
Mr Croome said Australian Marriage Equality wanted to “allow enough time for the Coalition to properly consider a conscience vote and for all new members to hear the case for reform”.
The number of federal MPs who support marriage equality has increased after the election, according to the marriage equality movement, despite the Coalition’s election win.
In a lower house vote last year, 42 MPs supported gay marriage. This parliament will likely include up to 50 declared supporters.
Author: Patricia Karvelas
Publication: The Australian
Date: 12 September 2013