This is a great thread to start discussion on... Malcolm is changing the playing field in the Liberal camp and for the 'Devine' Tony Abbot aka Repressor of equality ( Doesn't Tony have fablous members as part of his family??????). Isn't it delicious irony that he would want to 'hang them out'for his political advantage?

Are people over a significant age next?

Then they can go for other groups like blue eyed blondes and then maybe balding men under 50 �sh.

Take the argument out of the supposed moral agenda high ground and broaden the context so 'all' can be harmed! Do we call it collateral damage or is this for his personal political advancement.

I think it is hillarious! "The threat to marriage is not the gays" Umm hello Mr Turnbull, we too are a part of the human race!! I for one am sick of being treated like a second class citizen. Bring in Civil Unions. But then, for all the heterosexuals that dont get married in a Church or by a religious leader, they too should have to have a Civil Union. For where is their right to have a marriage if they dont believe in God???? Is this not what is has come down to? I will meet my maker one day, then and only then shall I be judged for my life. It is not up to Government or any other person to judge me. As for Mr Abbot, I do hope that you dont invite your gay family members to lunch, for surely they couldnt sit at the same table as you, seeings you are sooo much better than them!!! And if Mr Abbot had nothing to fear from his party, let them speak, after all arent we all entitled to free speech?? I say look out ladies, if Mr Abbot gets his own way, you will back to wearing an apron, making sure dinner is on the table and taking off your partners boots!!!

I'd like to know where Alex (yummy man he is) got the evidence for his claim of "Wherever civil unions have been enacted they entrench discrimination rather than remove it". Has discrimination against homosexuals been further entrenched in the U.K. or France?

I like Turnbull, and so do many Australians. The mans opinions suit more to the former (notice I said former) right of Labor than the left of the Liberals. Still, if it came down to it, I'd much to prefer this man anyday over that floppy eared hillbilly Abbott.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Marko

I like Turnbull, and so do many Australians. The mans opinions suit more to the former (notice I said former) right of Labor than the left of the Liberals. Still, if it came down to it, I'd much to prefer this man anyday over that floppy eared hillbilly Abbott.

The left of the Liberals are pretty socially progressive, despite what pre-conceptions people have about them.

Yeah, I have no doubt about this, however the voice of the Right is far too powerful within that party for the Left to have a large enough influence. Then again it wouldn't be a centre right party if the Left had more power.

fuck me , left/right/power it all gets so confusing for this diddums........... still agree Marko I prefer Turnbull over that knob Abbott.

In a world where the Liberals are not liberal and Labor is against equality what hope is there?
If you want an option i'm aggregating ideas for a new party at Keep Calm Abbott is not PM on facebook

I cant see the problem with civil unions so long as the union represents that the two individuals are now a couple and hold the same legal entitlements as a couple who have been traditionally married. Last thing I would want is a God ordained marriage certificate from wedding in a church with a preacher. It would mean nothing (to me ) offensive maybe. If it was a certificate from a civil celebrant with No religious affiliation I would be more comfortable. So get the civil union ball rolling and take it from there. (i like what Queenie said)

If you read his entire speech, you see where Turnbull is coming from - and the argument has some merit - Civil Union is a step further towards Gay Marriage than we now have and it does not mean we can't eventually get there - in fact other countries that now have marriage started with civil unions.
There is no doubt we need to get rid of that pell puppet Abbott and of the hypocrit juliar as well . we can not win until both are gone -

If you go for civil unions make all marriages that were non religious civil unions too.
If that annoys people then they might want to get arguing for marriage equality.

Quote:

Opposition leader Tony Abbott is not granting his MPs an individual conscience vote – they all most vote ‘no’ as a bloc.

How is he able to do this?

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Originally Posted by lancealot

I cant see the problem with civil unions so long as the union represents that the two individuals are now a couple and hold the same legal entitlements as a couple who have been traditionally married. Last thing I would want is a God ordained marriage certificate from wedding in a church with a preacher. It would mean nothing (to me ) offensive maybe. If it was a certificate from a civil celebrant with No religious affiliation I would be more comfortable. So get the civil union ball rolling and take it from there. (i like what Queenie said)

Birth Deaths and Marriage supply marriage certificates and have done for decades. Regardless of where the cerimony is performed BDM is where the marriage or Union is registered.

I just wish the F**king Christians buggered off in their belief that God ordained marriage, and that they own the 'word' marriage.

Have a google at marriage, read wikipaedia or any other historical comentary on marriage and it has very little to do with God, and everything to do with a contract of commitment, doweries, property, ownership of a wife, and bearing an heir!

Further more, our Christian judges forget that while they foist 4 Old Testement scripture as judgement against being gay, and married, they fail to apply the other 628 laws since they are no longer relevnet post Jesus, they also fail to acknowledge how many men had more than one wife, and as is the case with Solomon, how many concubines he had!

I used an example at a meeting a few weeks ago where an Old Testement law for a woman who's husband died, and they did not have children was required to be fucked by her brothers in law till she fell pregnant! Imagine THAT still being practiced by Jews or Christians in 2012!

I actually like Mr Turnbull. I think he has changed dramatically since he lost leadership of the Liberals, and I enjoy his candour and common sense dialogue. However, despite him being absolutely right, other contries that now have Marriage Equality beginning with Civil Unions, I do ask him to then consider it a "lesson leaned" from them so cut out step one and go directly to the top!

My politics are left but I must say that Turnbull impresses me. He certainly responds to mail and is a huge improvement on Abbot.

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Originally Posted by TheOldie

fuck me , left/right/power it all gets so confusing for this diddums...........

yes this social issue and all the protests surrounding it are really strange.

Personally I always have to laugh at the bohemian multi haired coloured vegan queers who want to occupy all public spaces so they can smash the system being on the front line of marriage equality protests. Ummm don't you keep wanting to smash the system?? (and be left with what? Cave man technology?) and isn't marriage in any guise even gay marriage part of that system you want to smash??

Or do you just like being angry and want to protest your outrage to make you feel better and feel like you hve an exciting life?