E-mail updates
Follow on Twitter
Subscribe to RSS
Daniel Munoz / Reuters
Gay rights activists hold a rainbow flag during a rally to support same-sex marriage in central Sydney August 11.
Australian lawmakers voted on Wednesday by more than two-to-one against a proposal to legalize gay marriage.
The Australian Broadcasting Corporation reported that 98 members of the House of Representatives – including Prime Minister Julia Gillard -- voted against the plan, while 42 had supported it.
However Labor party politician Anthony Albanese, who supported the law, said that "all the figures show that there is majority community support on this issue... and I think at some future time, parliament will catch up with the community opinion," the broadcaster reported. "Just a few years ago there wouldn't have been the support of anything like 42 votes on the floor of the national parliament for a marriage equality bill," Albanese said.
ABC reported that the head of the Australian Christian Lobby, Jim Wallace, had in a statement thanked those politicians who “as a matter of conscience, voted to ensure that marriage remained between a man and a woman."
ABC noted that Senator Cory Bernardi, of the center-right Liberal party, had resigned as a parliamentary secretary to his party’s leader Tony Abbott, after suggesting during a Senate debate Tuesday night that the next step after same-sex marriage would be to allow “three or four people that love each other being able to enter into a permanent union endorsed by society -- or any other type of relationship.”
He then added that there were “even some creepy people out there... [who] say it is OK to have consensual sexual relations between humans and animals,” Bernardi said, according to ABC. |Will that be a future step? In the future will we say, 'These two creatures love each other and maybe they should be able to be joined in a union.’ I think that these things are the next step.”
Supporter still 'confident'
The Age newspaper reported that advocates of same-sex marriage would now seek to persuade states within Australia to change the law.
"Now the federal parliament has effectively brushed the wishes of a majority of Australians aside, the states and territories will take the lead, making me confident we will see same sex marriages performed somewhere in Australia by the end of the year," Australian Marriage Equality convener Alex Greenwich said, according to the paper.
The Age added that in August Tasmania’s lower house had passed a bill to legalize gay marriage, which would now go to the state’s Legislative Council.
The paper said that Congress was to vote on another same-sex marriage bill Thursday.
Australia’s Foreign Minister Penny Wong, whose partner Sophie Allouache gave birth to a baby girl in December, said Wednesday that she was hurt by the claim from some senators that children of same-sex couples were worse off than those of mixed-gender couples, The Age reported.
"I do not regret that our daughter has Sophie and I as parents," Wong added. "I do regret that she lives in a world where some will tell her that her family is not normal. I regret that even in this chamber, elected representatives denigrate the worth of her family.”
More world stories from NBC News:
- Russia tells US: We don't want your aid money
- France shutters embassies, schools over new Muhammad cartoon
- State Department: No secret plan to invade Canada
- Early morning fire leaves hundreds homeless in the Philippines
- US Muslims denounce both violence and anti-Islam film
- Democracy declined worldwide in 2011 with Arab Spring at risk, watchdog says
- In Niger, child marriage on rise due to hunger
Follow World News from NBCNews.com on Twitter and Facebook
Leave a Comment:
...
That's it - cut off any foreign aid to Australia.
Libya and Egypt ??
Of course they should continue to receive billions.
It's part of the new beginning in relations between muslims and the west.
...
Quite the contrary, Australia should be given a huge bonus for this ruling!!!
@SoemthingSaid - we can start by taxing straight bigots given that they don't have to pay estate taxes upon marriage or death and less federal annual taxes anyway. Better start pulling your own weight (and I'm not talking about fat asses, though NJ's Chris Christie is packing some serious blubber).
So Australia still believes in Democracy and rule by the people vice special interest groups?
Maybe that it is one of the most admired nations on Earth.
Had the majority supported gay marriage then that too would have been fine.
However, in the former democracy and republic of the Divided States of America the special interest groups rule. Our cowardly lawmakers are too easily bought off and sell their honor and duty just to remain in power.
You're proud to be an American, but you don't understand what it means to be an American. We're a country of law, and one of the core functions of the Judicual (Court) branch of the government is to prevent the "tyranny of the majority" - when the majority, based on "tradition", religion bigotry, or the fulminations of power hungry and cynical politicians, look to impose their beliefs on everyone else. The majority has supported slavery, no voting rights for women, and many other immoral actions. Should we have kept them?
The right of two people of the same sex to marry doesn't take anything away from you. No one will force you to marry someone of the same sex. But folks like you seem to feel that if anyone doesn't obey your parochial and bigoted view of the world, then you've been personally attacked.
We do agree on the cowardly politicians who are so often bought and paid for. But, for the most part - follow the money - those politicians are the right wing nut cakes like Imhofe who have been bought and paid for by the Koch brothers and others of their ilk.
they are all bought and paid for, including the current POTUS!
"The first principle of republicanism is that the lex majoris partis is the fundamental law of every society of individuals of equal rights; to consider the will of the society enounced by the majority of a single vote as sacred as if unanimous is the first of all lessons in importance, yet the last which is thoroughly learnt. This law once disregarded, no other remains but that of force, which ends necessarily in military despotism." --Thomas Jefferson to Alexander von Humboldt, 1817. ME 15:127
"The will of the people... is the only legitimate foundation of any government, and to protect its free expression should be our first object." --Thomas Jefferson to Benjamin Waring, 1801. ME 10:236
"The measures of the fair majority... ought always to be respected." --Thomas Jefferson to George Washington, 1792. ME 8:397
"I subscribe to the principle, that the will of the majority honestly expressed should give law." --Thomas Jefferson: The Anas, 1793. ME 1:332
"All... being equally free, no one has a right to say what shall be law for the others. Our way is to put these questions to the vote, and to consider that as law for which the majority votes." --Thomas Jefferson: Address to the Cherokee Nation, 1809. ME 16:456
"[We acknowledge] the principle that the majority must give the law." --Thomas Jefferson to William Carmichael, 1788. ME 7:28
"This... [is] a country where the will of the majority is the law, and ought to be the law." --Thomas Jefferson: Answers to de Meusnier Questions, 1786. ME 17:85
RW niceto see you wail about tyranny of t he majority when in fact majority rules is the foundation of Democracy. Lefires such as yourself, under the fraudulent guise of being "fair", simply make up rights that comply with your political beliefs. In Australia they udnerstand the rule of law, unlike in America, as exemplified by you who doesn't even understand the role of the judiciary. You're 100% wrong as the role of the Judiciary differs from level to level, but at all levels its role is to ensure compliance with duly enacted laws, not to "protect" made up rights for minorities. As far as gay marriage affecting me? It doesn't anymore than my neighbor beating his wife and kids, or someone raping someone I don't know. I happen to look at how laws affect all of us, not just me. Every single change in divorce law, marriage law and in the family has undermined American society. So gay marriage might help 3% of us, at the expense of all of us. Having said that, as a divorce lawyer, its been a boon for business.
Sorry Jeff, not good enough. We are a liberal democracy, which means that while the majority rules, it is not allowed to violate the civil rights of the minority. And the right to marriage is not "made up," unless you reject the ruling of Loving v Virginia (and nobody does). Likewise, the crimes you listed do harm to individuals. Equal marriage rights do no known harm whatsoever.
Try harder next time, Kiddo.
Jeff, what makes the law correct? Don't you think that society changes, and so the laws should along with it?
And please explain how gay marriage comes at a cost to 97% of the population?
Laws are changed by the legislative process not the President abdicating his Constitutional; duty to uphold the law as Obama did with Doma and not by judicial fiat as the despicable Supreme Judicial Court did in Massachusetts. I said gay marriage and anything else that affects traditional marriage, so when you ask a question based on facts I will answer it. To me that comment was just trolling so I answered the non-trolling half.
Again Jeff, you just got it dead wrong. The president IS still enforcing DOMA. His Justice Department just stopped DEFENDING it. Because frankly, it's a blatant violation of the Constitution.
Have you ever considered taking an entry-level class on U.S. government, Jeff?
"RW niceto see you wail about tyranny of t he majority when in fact majority rules is the foundation of Democracy."
Wrong, Jeff. Majority rule in America goes hand in hand with the notion that the rights of minorities will be protected. Many of the freedoms that we enjoy stem from this. If this were not the case, women wouldn't vote, we'd still have slavery, and we'd still be part of Great Britain. These three things changed initially via the will and efforts of a minority.
TOASTY are you really so incredibly stupid that you are unaware the Justice department works for the President and does what he tells them? You are stupid enough to think Obama told them to enforce the law but the Criminal Eric Holder said no? NIKO -- You are simply wrong. A majority of Americans fought against the British. Slavery and the right of Women to vote were supported by 75% of all State Legislatures representing a majority as well. Stupid or wrong? You choose. Obama would get nine votes if Americans weren't as stupid as the two of you.
hey Jeff-1570172 u really gonna call someone else stupid after the BS u been posting......j/s
Jeff, give me your citations. You didn't even read my post, so maybe it's time you actually did something. I'm tired of people who lack even a basic understanding of the Constitution talking about things that don't know. Put up or shut up, kiddo.
What?! 0_o
Not to start anything, but as documented, the USA was originally a Constitutional Republic. By definition, it has since migrated to a Social Democracy.
Some have brought up past immoral practices but these same people fail to see that homosexuality is a morally corrupt lifestyle. That is the bottom line folks. The growing acceptance of it does not change that. The growing acceptance only means that our nation and other nations around the world are going down the toilet.
Spiddas, a Republic is a form of democracy. A constitutional republic is a type of republic. Neither fully befit the definitions of our democracy, which entail the protections of civil liberties despite the democratic process. This is known as a liberal democracy.
McGrath,
God's nature law is superior to your personalbeliefs. Sex among the same sex is unnatural. You and every other "gay" person came into existence as a result of a female having sex with a male. You or no other homosexual came into existence as a result of two men or two women having sex. I know that fact messes with your carnal desires to have sex with a member of the same sex.
GOD Bless Australia! "If a man lies with mankind as he lies with a woman, both have committed an ABOMINATION, they shall surely be put to death and their blood shall be upon them." Leviticus 20:13 In America the opposite is true-it's an "Obamination." One day will will All Stand before HIM and give an account. If man doesn't legislate Morality, he will sure legislate Immorality.
hahahahahah
Uh, Alan? That is a line from a fairy tale. We don't base laws on fairy tales in the United States, and I'm pretty sure they don't in Australia either.
If you are going to use the bible, get your versions straight. That verse in the original archaic hebrew was "If a MARRIED man...."
Hilarious Toasty. You decry "fairy tales" however you embrace the fairy tales of the obama administration.
You claim the majority should not have the right to take away the rights of the individual yet you embrace the doctrine that a "special few" have the right to take away the rights of the majority.
a walking hypocrisy of the ideals you claim to embrace. Keep drinking the kool aid
Come on PAV, you can do better than that. Tell me how the "special few" is taking your rights away if marriage equality passes. Go on.
Everyone is equal, every citizen of the US has the RIGHT to marry someone of the opposite sex.
Alan, be careful when you quote the Bible to support your notion of family values. I can also quote the Bible to show you that God has no problem with abortion, and that life in the womb can be taken, which goes against "family values":
Give them, O LORD: what wilt thou give? give them a miscarrying womb and dry breasts. -- Hosea 9:14
Liberals want gay marriage as a law, but they would march and protest against polygamist getting married.
No, liberals don't want gay marriage to be the law, liberals want equal rights to be the law. And if you just "know" that liberals would protest polygamy, are we to assume then that conservatives would be FOR polygamy?
I couldn't care less about polygamy. Just like with same-sex marriage, polygamous marriage doesn't affect my life one bit. The only objection I'd have is with the tax incentives, which can be easily remedied by taking away all tax incentives from all marriages. Problem solved.
Most of those who believes in legally recognized polygamous marriages are followers of a religion that considers them tradition and since the women (if they even reach legal adult age) are often arranged and obligated into it since youth, it is more about status, property distribution and family ties than actual love. That is why most of us are against polygamy, so there is no hypocrisy here on our part.
Thankyou Australia
And, I hardly believe the majority want gay marriage as the lib/gay activists claims.
Hear, hear, to the guy resigning rather than be a partner to this side-show.
Too many important things like jobs, terrorism etc...to bother with this crap.
That's right RP-2387990 our elected officials need gay marriage and women's repo right's to fight about. Other wise they might actually have to work. Tell them to get over it. Equal rights for all.
Think about it, how much time has been wasted on this? When I say wasted I do not mean people that are fighting for equality. These two things seem to be holding up so much. Let women chose, let gay's get hitched. Done deal.
Now what problems should we work on? See how simple that is. I could rant about this all day, but in the end two dudes or gals hooking up living together do not effect me on bit. I have friends that are gay, one is a childhood friend. I have seen what she has dealt with.
It goes back to what my parents taught me, treat everyone with respect, and if you have nothing nice to say keep your mouth shut. :-)
Absolutely, equality for all. Homosexuals should be allowed to marry unrelated members of the opposite sex just like the rest of us.
Oh that's right, nobody objects to that, so your arguing with a wall here.
I'm surprised by the result. Lived in Australia for a total of 5 years...they seemed so much more civilized than us Yanks. At least gay partners of government employees there are recognized and given dependent status when an employee is sent abroad.
it is so cute that they have their own flag,now why don't they find their own country.shut up,butt up and grow up.family values is man and woman,if they don't know that then ask them how they got on this earth.
Asinine comment, pea brain. Gays and lesbians pay taxes and contribute to their communities and countries. They don't have to find their own, and ten to one many of them do more for their countries than you do. I know good people who were raised by one parent, by a grandparent, by a gay uncle, and by an older sister. I also know total JERKS who had both a mommy and a daddy. Family values doesn't have to = man and woman by a long shot, values that you are sorely lacking in.
Except for the fact that every single study on the issue of families has determined that the single best atmosphere for a child is an intact, married, male and female couple.
Studies conducted by whom? The traditional family, with a mother and a father, will always be the norm. Giving equal marriage rights to gays and lesbians, a small segment of the population, doesn't change that. Heterosexuals are not going to "become" gay because of gay marriage. Heterosexuals will always be the majority. Despite the "single, best atmosphere" that you cite, there have throughout history ALWAYS been unconventional family arrangements, and good people have come from them. Is your concern really for "the children", or do you simply not like the idea of same sex marriage? If the former, I repeat: many badly adjusted people were raised by a mother and a father. Many good, well adjusted people were not.
Sorry Nik, but any person with a basic understanding of social history will know that the "traditional family" is a myth invented in the 20th century.
Even if traditional man/woman married households are the best enviroment for raising children, they're not always available. If that is going to remain a requirement for adoption or even being able to remain with your own biological child, there are going to be alot of kids who won't get a family, even if they are otherwise wanted.
Nik, I must presume that you were hatched by 2 dudes or 2 dudettes, you and your boyfriend ride into the sunset, at leaset we know that the 2 of your can't procreate, thank GOD
Jim, does your Einstein logic realize that 99% of gays come from heterosexuals? Gays will always exist. No need to 'thank' your piss ass poor idea of a spiritual guide.
MakesSense-3389651
"Everyone is equal, every citizen of the US has the RIGHT to marry someone of the opposite sex."
Sorry, but your comments never make sense. Let's get really traditional and normal, shall we?
Everyone is equal, every citizen of the US has the RIGHT to marry someone of the opposite sex who is of the same race, the same religion, and the same social status, with the marriage being arranged by their parents, with the man having the right to beat his wife when necessary, with children being expected, and with no chance of divorce.
Good for
Australia
Physiologically speaking, it is hard to make a case under which anal sex might be accepted as normal.
The equipment provided was never designed to be used that way.
and u know this how.....I'm guessing you've been "experimenting".....this is just too easy today
Some people enjoy anal sex with women, but a normal person would be aware of that.
To understand homosexuality you have to enter a seductive labyrinth of mesmeric make-believe and fertile fantasy. Take for example the very basic notion of marriage. Importantly, a fundamental biological union between a man and women, which usually, but not inevitably, functions to produce progeny, without which, society is finished.
Homosexual men and women defy logic and nature when they attempt to mimic it, because it is impossible to unite that which is biologically incompatible. Not only is the familial genealogy fractured, but also the influence of the male and female sexual complementarities that flow naturally from conventional homogeneous unions. Moreover, most gay activist reject the concept of marriage and wish to smash it as an oppressive institution that inhibits sexual licentiousness. Thus, homosexual politics involve profound contradictions and inconsistencies.
wtf are u talking about....SMFH.....another loco who wants to sound "edumacated" on the subject of homosexuality but all he ends up doing is looking like a dufus!!!!
Ditto Raymond
Bummer, but now lets tackle the real issue: marriage equality for INCESTUITES.
dear crubs -
Can one safely assume you're a member of the "INCESTUITES" as you're asking that marriage equality now be tackled for you?
damn queers, ship them and obama back to africa
damn bigots, ship them and Romey back to africa
Look in the mirror all you BIGOTS. You willingly post your hate, fear and intolerance here for all the world to see and wonder. Get a life?
Equality and same sex marriage is happening under your very narrow points of view. Like it or not.
Cheers.
Thank God there's still a nation that understands the definition of marriage is immutable. Bad enough we have civil unions in the U.S. There's nothing civil about two men or two women getting it on in the name of "love".
Just like having multiple wives was immutable, right? That was common for centuries in many parts of the world...still is common in some places.
The definition of marriage is indeed mutable, as once it meant that parents arranged marriages for their children, men could marry underage girls, women were treated under law as chattel, movable property. Divorce was very difficult to get and a divorced woman did not even have a right to the custody of her children. Of course interracial marriage was outlawed too. The majority went along with all of this. I'm very glad the definition of marriage has changed and is changing to recognize all families. Those prating about "the right of the majority" talk very differently if the majority adversely affects their own interests. Those quoting Bible passages to somehow "justify" discrimination against gay people are oddly silent about many other Bible passages that "justify" slavery, rape, and burning at the stake.
Good for you Australia! Now come to the USA and teach them a thing or two. Everywhere you turn in this damn country they are putting homosexuals all up in our face! Who gives a crap what they do behind close doors. That is their business. I don't feel that every freakin' tv show has to have a gay or lesbian in it. And having to sit and watch two men or two women get intimate is not my idea of entertainment! Stick to your law Australia.
savemysoul
Good for you Australia! Now come to the USA and teach them a thing or two. Everywhere you turn in this damn country they are putting heterosexuals all up in our face! Who gives a crap what they do behind close doors. That is their business. I don't feel that every freakin' tv show has to have a heterosexual in it. And having to sit and watch men and women get intimate is not my idea of entertainment! Stick to your law Australia.
Homophobic much savemysoul? You're funny and pathetic.
I LOVE Australia. It's the best country EVER. Not like the United States, which has become sin city. No wonder there are so many problems there nowadays. God does not bless immorality.
God does not exist, so there is nothing for him to bless or condemn. If the US or any other country became an official Christian controlled nation, they would be no different than the Islamic Middle East where people can be condemned or executed for the smallest infraction of their moral codes that are part of their laws. There would be no freedom, biggotry would be commonplace and life would be a living hell for those who aren't considered "normal" by the moral majority. We would not move foward and there would be little progress. The only reason the US is as free as it is, is because our government is, by constitutional law, secular and allows religious traditions to be optional. It was popular enough that Seperation of Church and State became a model to some degree for the constitutions of other industrialized nations, otherwise they would still be trying to kill each other in mindless wars over the gods they made to this day.
G' morning -
Not suprising to see that bigotry and hate are alive and well on this beautiful morning.
If you don't have anything good to say, why not simply say NOTHING. The toxic hate, anger and fear opponents spew and spend their days with does nothing to improve the world we live in day to day.
If you're against gay marriage, don't marry a gay person. If you're invited (not likely) to a same sex wedding - don't go. If you disagree with same sex relations then MYOB, but quit fantasizing about our private lives!
I've yet to see an logical argument how same sex marriage and equality for all - threatens the rights and marriages of hetersexual couples. That's because such an argument does NOT exist.
I know same sex couples who are awesome parents. BTW: their kids are wanted, planned and very loved. When did you last hear of gay parent/s who's child was born the result of an "unplanned, one night BOINK, OOPS and I'm knocked up" drama and trauma story? Again, doesn't exist.
Same sex couples invest much time, planning and $$ to become parents.
Go shower off your bigotry - just for today - and go out and do something productive for ALL of your fellow citizens.
There is nothing normal about same sex marriage.....It s a joke !!!!
al-2891335
There is nothing normal about same sex marriage.....It s a joke !!!
PROFOUND declaration Al. Good for you peabrain.
HOW are same sex marriage and equality a "joke" Senor?
BTW: since you're speaking your mind: how does same sex marriage affect you?
Makes me want to puke,how does it affect you,JLman? Probably not at all because your gay and like it up your butt. Just because someone is normal doesn't make them a peabrain. Everyone doesn't have to agree with the gay lifestyle nor do they have to condone it. It's "unnatural" no matter how much people try to claim otherwise.
Nice to see some country has some brains. Good for Australia! This whole gay thing is disgusting. Give them an inch and they want to take a mile and no matter which way you slice it, it is wrong.
How is the "whole gay thing wrong and disgusting" rad48?
I suspect you can't share here how you're effected by gay people.
I have to see these freaks everytime I turn on my T.V.anymore. Kissing each other, proposing to each other and adopting babies. This crap is rammed down everyone's throat constantly. And believe me, I do turn the channel or turn it off all together. It not only affects me, it affects society as a whole.
You're a pretty fragile freak rad48.
I respect your right to turn the channel. We all do it - everyday - when we decided we want to watch something else.
As for "up the butt" and liking it, you illustrate your ignorance. How/why do you assume that because i'm a gay man, I enjoy anal sex? You ASSume alot.
I suspect you're so bothered because you question your own sexual identity. Deep down inside you struggle with your own fears re: your same sex attractions. Lighten up, you give yourself away.
I guess the "freaks" are the jackasses that are in US and Australian Government. Australia just went from the receipient of hundreds of millions of dollers per year - as one the highest (on the list) of places gays want to visit - to one of the last places we should spend a dollar. And that includes straight tourists that support human rights also. Chick-Fil-A (Like every other entity that protests gays) just backed off in Chicago - as they realize that the Gay buying power (and the loss of that alone) could bankrupt them. For every one hater - there are probably 100 gays in the 1 %. Just an opinion and we all have one.
Chik-Fil-A never protested against gays. Chik-Fil-a employs gays and serves gays food. You have to lie to proove your point. That speaks for itself. If any fast food chain backs off in Chicago, its because they don't want to do business in Chicago.
MLP as usual you clowns have it backwards, its 100 to each 1 of you ( i am gonna throw my perversion into your face every chance i get) and btw Chick-fil-a didn't back off they just stopped donating to anti-gay groups, exactly where does your boy-frined poke you to you pregnant ????
Good to know that not all foriegn countries are in moral decline.
Well put mlpmlp-337744.
There are plenty of other welcoming "ports" around the world we'll choose to spend our discretionary travel bucks.
I agree CVPDude.
I take comfort that the "moral decline" you site - is lessening in the United States due to it's acceptance and acknowledgement of ALL it's citizens, not just the majority.
That indicates progress to me.
maybe we should ship all the gays to Australia, they seem to know how to handle them