Time to actively support Traditional Marriage

I found myself somewhat in disbelief the other evening as I watched Greens Senate Leader, Bob Brown being interviewed on a late night TV program.

We all should know that the Greens actively support same-sex marriage. Indeed, Greens SA Senator Hanson-Young sponsored a same-sex marriage bill that failed in the last parliament.

What surprised me by Bob Brown's statement that night was his identification of same-sex marriage as one of the top policy priorities for his party under the hackneyed phraseology of 'ending discrimination in marriage' (or some such).

Like many of my colleagues, I've long noted that the Greens aren't simply a feel-good, tree-hugging environmental party, but I never really expected that they'd be so bold as to put this 'other agenda' out there in policy land front-and-centre.

They must believe that same-sex marriage is a policy winner for them - that's the only conclusion I can come to. Into the bargain, they must also believe that, even with voters who don't actively support this policy, that it's not a turn off.

If this is so, and if their premise is indeed that and, more significantly, if they are correct, then Marriage as we know it is definitely under direct threat from the Green ALP Alliance.

But Julia Gillard has said that she doesn't support same-sex marriage so what's the worry? It is indeed a worry when you consider political reality.

If the Greens gain the balance of power in their own right in the Senate after this election (a distinct possibility) then they are obviously in a very strong negotiating position. It is well within the bounds of possibility and, perhaps, even an inevitability, that the Greens would bargain same-sex marriage as a trade off for supporting some other ALP government legislation.

But Julia said... yes, but funny things happen when parties horse trade. I believe that, when the Greens re-introduce same-sex marriage legislation in the new parliament, Ms Gillard will re-affirm her opposition to it - but offer her party members a conscience vote on a private member's bill. (remember that both major parties organised party votes against the last bill)

There's no telling what the Coalition might do but my feeling is that they'd stand against same-sex marriage as a party (even though there are clearly those in their ranks that would privately support such a move).

Notwithstanding this possibility, there may yet not be a majority in either house for such a bill. But having a major party open the debate up to a matter of conscience means its simply a matter of time. Progressives like the Greens and those on the Left of Labor know that the Fabian philosophy of incrementalism will bring them success eventually and I don't think it would take very long at all.

This election may very well be a last stand.