ORGAN ASKS THE ALP TO CROSS THE FLOOR ON SAME SEX LAWS

[Bolwell, Kristian (M. Organ, MP)]

Michael Organ MP
Greens Member for Cunningham

***** MEDIA RELEASE *****
28 May 2004

ORGAN ASKS THE ALP TO CROSS THE FLOOR ON SAME SEX LAWS

In a surprise move, Cunningham MP Michael Organ has written to each and
every member of the Federal Labor party who signed a letter opposing the
Iraq war during George W Bush's visit to Australia, urging them to vote
against the Government's discriminatory proposals that would ban same
sex couples from marrying or adopting children. 

"This is an issue of principle that the ALP should oppose.  It is clear
that Howard wants to discriminate against people because of their
sexuality, but I can't believe everyone in the ALP does as well.
Whether they choose to oppose these laws with me or not will be a simple
test that they cannot fail." 

"It is appropriate to approach everyone in the ALP who had the courage
to oppose George W Bush when he came here, because like invading Iraq,
these discriminatory alarmist same sex marriage laws also originated in
the White House." 

"Crunch time is coming - the ALP must oppose these unnecessary,
discriminatory and homophobic laws. I look forward to their reply,"
Michael Organ said. 

The Members Michael Organ has written to are: Mark Latham, Tanya
Plibersek, Anthony Albanese, Duncan Kerr, Carmen Lawrence, Kirsten
Livermore, Jann McFarlane, Leo McLeay, Bob McMullan, Daryl Melham,
Michelle O'Byrne, Brendan O'Connor, Gavin O'Connor, Harry Quick, Lindsay
Tanner, Maria Vamvakinou, Dick Adams, Anna Burke, Ann Corcoran, Laurie
Ferguson, Jennie George, Steve Gibbons, Sharon Grierson, Alan Griffin,
Jill Hall, Kelly Hoare, Julia Irwin, Harry Jenkins and Senators John
Faulkner, Kay Denman,Trish Crossin, Peter Cook, George Campbell and
Nick Bolkus,  [sample letter below].
 More from: Michael Organ MP 02 4228 3666, 0439 442 550
Allen Clark (Media Adviser) 0439 464 439
www.michaelorgan.org.au - where you can subscribe to all the Greens
media releases with Greens media

***** MEDIA RELEASE *****


28 May 2004,



Mark Latham MP
Parliament House 
CANBERRA ACT 2600

Dear Mark,

I am writing to you in the light of your past public stance on matters
of human rights.

I urge you not to support the Howard government's move to deny the
principle of equality before the law for all Australian citizens.

It is my firm view that the changes which the government proposes in the
Marriage Legislation Amendment Bill represent a significant attack on
that principle, which is both morally indefensible and breaches
Australia's obligations under the United Nations International Covenant
of Civil and Political Rights and its Optional Protocol to which
Australia is party.

I would specifically draw your attention to the Human Rights Committee's
Communication No. 941/2000 in the case submitted by Mr. Edward Young,
who has been denied benefits under the Veterans Entitlements Act, in
which they find that Australia is in violation of Article 26 of the
Covenant.

The changes in the Marriage Legislation Amendment Bill will continue,
and reinforce, this violation which goes to the heart of the principle
of equality before the law.

No person in Australia should be discriminated against on the basis of
their sexuality; to do so is an affront to human rights.

I therefore urge you in the strongest terms to reject the legislation in
its present form.

Yours sincerely



Michael Organ 
Member for Cunningham 







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