Turnbull Disappoints

[acidjasmine]

NOT GOOD ENOUGH MALCOLM. IT'S JUST FUCKING INSULTING.

[dreadcircus]

Malcolm Tunrnbull is a money grubbing prick. I really hope Australia turfs him and his Nazi comrades on their assholes. Anybody guess who I'm voting for?? LOL

[wombatfromparis]

CUNTS !!!! all cunts !!!!

[rheiner]

I was going to write something punchily humourous about how removing one piece of 58 discriminatory pieces of legislation is even more insulting than just doing nothing, but instead I'l just agree with the wombat.

[jasn]

Nice language.

Tanya Plibersek is not representing her party's policies, I suspoect. Let's hear Rudd, or atleast a shadow minister, speak about these things.

Until then, you are just bashing someone (Turnbull) who probably offering the most pragmatic promise.

I'm not sure who I am voting for still.

[rheiner]

*retracts comment and expresses humble gratitude for the few crumbs the Liberal Party throws our way when they're desperate for some gay votes*

[petejschneider]

Bob Brown for PM... I agree with Daniel Johns.. Enough said

[jackie87]

I think Turnbull sold himself short by joining the Liberals, I would hope (as he is one of the better politicians on the conservative side of politics) to jump ship and contest Wentworth as an independent.

[Stormdata]

This is utter rubbish.How dumb do liberals think we are.As for Turnbull he's a bloody disgrace and should be booted out. Pragmatic my arse..buying into this means accepting ongoing second class citizenship with superannuation benefits...this is exactly what the libs did with the indigenous issue..offer something that the community can't be seen to refuse in place of anything meaningful...the levels of offensiveness in this have crippled my expressive capacity...will have to come back to rant properly later

[chad_74]

Time has come now to press the libs for more .They have started the negotiations now we have to counter offer.But sadly as a community we are at a disagreement. I say lets just start with equality and if necessary give up the marriage.

[rheiner]

Easier solution: press Liberals out of power. The End.

[shahnah]

I'm fed up with all the transparently duplicitous semantics the liberals have spat out over the decades. Let's replace the government and see if 'new leadership' covers the gay community as well.

[marko2007]

To recognize discrimination exists and then do nothing about it is an indictment of the Howard government. It is time that Australia had a government that can demonstrate leadership by uniting everyone, rather than this "divide and conquer" mentality adopted by Howard against minorities because he is afraid of losing approval from the religious right.

[James-A]

Guys, if there's anyone within the Liberal Party that champions gay rights the most, it's Malcolm Turnbull. To write crap like "Malcolm Turnbull disappoints" shows a total disregard (or little knowledge) of the fact that one person doesn't create an entire political party's policies.

Even before he entered politics, Malcolm and his wife Lucy have been strong supporters of our community. Lucy's work with the AIDS Trust, for example, has been incredible.

So let's give the guy a break. Yes, the Libs aren't doing enough for gay rights, but Malcolm is at least on our side.

And one more thing... For those of you voting for a political party solely (or primarily) because of gay rights (or lack thereof), please keep in mind that even though this is important, there are other more pressing issues to consider as well.

[jackie87]

I never suspected he would join the Libs after being in the Australian Republican Movement and Neville Wran's business partner...but it seems the boss has silenced him now and he may be a one-term wonder, which is quite unfortunate, but let's not forget those in the Coalition who have also been gagged and have done more on gay rights than most in the ALP ever had.

Such as Warren Entsch, who is retiring and Judi Moylan and Petro Georgiou who were also silenced over their dissenting views on refugees, I'm sure once Howard is gone the party may fall to pieces as its support base between the small l liberal middle class support base and the Christian Right grows ever hostile to one another.

[peterr3445w]

How Howard can dominate so many sensible people like Turnbull is amazing. I understand that his private comments about the little t-rd are far more revealing. There will be changes after the libs are thrown out - expect to see them suddenly become more open minded

[robmanser]

i was going to vote for labor until i heard Kevin Rudd completely dismiss all equality for marriage and recognition on the radio - sure some gay people dont want marriage, but we should have the right to have our relationships recognised...

if they can bend the 'rules' for divorced people, unwed mothers, and people who dont want to get married in the church - this whole between a man and woman in the eyes of god is total cop out bullshit!

i seriously hope that the greens candidate in sydney gets in... i am voting for the greens - at least they could make a difference for our rights across the baord if enough of them get in.

On the subject of malcolm - sure he is a great bloke - but he definately chose the wrong side of the fence to barrack for as far as politics go! Its a pity that a great statesman is in with those assholes.

[James-A]

Robmanser, I have one word to say to you: preferences.

A vote for the Greens is a vote for the Labor Party.

[chad_74]

Robmanser if turbull is a great bloke, He then deserves your vote.To simplify voting to be howard and rudd your doing your vote a disservice.
WE SHOULD SUPPORT ALL CANDIDATES THAT BACK EQUALITY REGARDLESS OF POLITICAL SIDE
And sorry I believe marraige in a church is for man and woman only.I am gay no hangups and dont beleive i have to lower myself by trying to be involved in a hetrosexual institution.A civil union/document is fine for me.

[jackie87]

Robmanser, I have one word to say to you: preferences.

A vote for the Greens is a vote for the Labor Party.

but we have the choice to be able to elect Greens in the Senate and whatever else in the lower house

[spinster]

its a known fact that labor are always far more sympathetic to gay and lesbian 'issues'.. and in removing discriminatory legislation (just take a look at reforms - albeit overdue in the states and territories).. an interesting point though re: Tanya Plibersek's comments that labor would remove all 58 laws that discriminate against the gay

[spinster]

its a known fact that labor are always far more sympathetic to gay and lesbian 'issues'.. and in removing discriminatory legislation (just take a look at reforms - albeit overdue in the states and territories).. an interesting point though re: Tanya Plibersek's comments that labor would remove all 58 laws that discriminate against the gay

[jackie87]

I just read a hilarious quote about queer Liberal voters:

"They’re a little like those guys who spend hours in gay saunas, lying face-down in a cubicle with an open door, arses in the air, and then complain, “Hey! Someone just fucked me up the arse without a condom!”"

[AussieMan]

NB Labor have been better Federally. In some states Liberals have actually been better overall. It needs to be noted that before last election: Labor joined forces in supporting the Liberals, bypassing the parliamentary committee investigating gay marriage and voted to prevent it being allowed in Australia. In addition, Rudd himself is very conservative on gay issues and is careful to distance himself. Greens are the best on this and I would strongly encourage people to do all they can to get Greens more power in the Senate.

[jimjazz]

the issue is to ensure we are extended the same rights. both major parties have a long history dragging their feet on reform; we should support any individual who supports ending discrimination. period. fuck party politics. it belongs in the 20th century. turnbull and plibersek should both be applauded for their action.

[robbie]

I'm totally torn on who I will be voting for. I understand all the complexities, preference votes etc.. and I refuse to vote based primarily on gay and lesbian issues.. Howard has served this country well over the past 11 years.. yes he's fucked up/disregarded some important issues in our community (education, health, environment) but overall, he's school report card is at least at B.. I don't quite trust the Smug Rudd either..

[ChrisDude]

This election seems to be a case of "okayest of two sorta okays". Nothing either Howard or Rudd has done has really stood out a whole lot. I'm finding the whole thing pretty disappointing actually. My vote's looking very Green at the moment.

Labor seems better than the coalition on GLBT issues with the commitment to cleaning up the 58 bits of discriminatory federal legislation. The coalition might have done (at least some of) that anyway, but they aren't as keen to talk about it. And although Rudd is a bit conservative himself, I can see him allowing a conscience vote on GLBT issues. Howard I'd be less confident about.

[chad_74]

Interesting that people say "labor has been a longtime supporter of gay rights"
my answer to them is why during the Hawke and Keating govt's did they not give equality given it has been an issue since the seventies?

[jackie87]

Interesting that people say "labor has been a longtime supporter of gay rights"
my answer to them is why during the Hawke and Keating govt's did they not give equality given it has been an issue since the seventies?

Same-sex marriage was pretty much a non-issue in the 80's/early 90's, It was only under State Labor governments that homosexuality had been legalised under which gives much thought to why Malcolm Fraser did nothing in this circumstance. However we can thank the Hawke/Keating governments for allowing gays in the military (this is still illegal in the US) and superannuation benefits were taken away once the Howard government had been elected.

Whilst there was still the Catholic Right in control of must of the ALP's family policies, we can thank the Howard Government for stealing most of their supporters. If Kevin Rudd is elected, it should be easier to apply pressure on him on gay rights as major important seats rely on their vote if they don't end up going to the Greens.

[chad_74]

I do believe tho if the libs are re-elected we will see a diferent style of govenment with the retirement of howard.The next generation (or to steal aphrase from labor)a new leadership with fesh ideas will come about.We will stand as good if not better chance of getting equality under a costello govenment.We see this with comments of reform from turnbull.
One must be cautious i feel about rudd wanting a close relationship with the chinese.Their history of human rights is shocking to say the least.We must not put ourselves in a position to be dictated on internal affairs by a superpower with no compassion or value for human life.

[Mr J]

I'm currently likeing the dieing democrats and the greens. I do agree that GLBT rights are not the primary reason to vote one or the other ... and i also agree that Turnball is probably a great guy. We have to remember that a person's personal beliefs are put a side when they are in a party (a great example is the labors enviroment minister). Vote for who will be best in your area and who has/or will do a great job.

[blueterrace]

On Gay Rights Turnbulls the best of his party. Labours looking better, But Bob Brown’s Greens will get my vote.