Tim Watts (Gellibrand, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The Australian Labor Party didn't want the farcical postal plebiscite currently being inflicted on LGBTI Australians by the Turnbull government, but if it's going to happen we'll throw ourselves behind the cause of equality and forcefully rebut arguments that relegate LGBTI Australians to the status of second-class citizens. Earlier this week the member for Menzies described LGBTI relationships as 'mere affectionate relationships', equivalent to his relationship with his cycling mates. This morning the member for Warringah claimed LGBTI relationships weren't 'diminished' by being denied equal status with hetero relationships, because they were 'different'. These statements do at least eschew the dissembling about kids and freedom of speech, and cut to the nub of the issue here. This is about whether we view LGBTI relationships in the same way as hetero relationships. Do we believe LGBTI Australians' relationships are as loving, as committed and as enduring as hetero ones and, as such, are deserving of equal treatment before the law or not?

I'm embarrassed and ashamed that this government is currently asking the Australian community to judge the quality of LGBTI Australians' relationships. But on this side of the chamber we recognise the human dignity of LGBTI Australians and their natural right to equal treatment before the law. We recognise that they are not different. We recognise the difference between a lifelong relationship of love and intimacy and a relationship with a cycling mate. We recognise LGBTI Australians as fellow human beings with equal rights and dignity. (Time expired)