ALP National Conference Speech

It is a great honour to move this platform amendment on behalf of Rainbow Labor and I thank the Prime Minister for the opportunity to have this debate.

I think we all define ourselves in some way by who we chose to share our lives with.  

Love, trust and commitment are found at the heart of all good relationships.

This platform change today is about recognising and strengthening relationships. 

It is also about the common values of fairness and tolerance that bind us all together.

Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, Transgender and Intersex Australians are part of our community. 

We are not nameless, faceless people who live on the margins of society.

We deserve the respect and dignity afforded to others; we deserve equality.  

Equality that is not only functional and practical but also highly symbolic. It allows us to hold our heads up high as equal members of the community and to celebrate our relationships.

It is about dignity.

I can see no good argument for allowing only opposite sex couples to formalise and celebrate their relationships through marriage and then to deny that right to same sex couples.

I often hear those who oppose equal marriage talk about its alleged dire effect on families. 

This ignores the fact that gay men and women have families too.

We are sons and daughters, we are brothers and sisters, we are cousins, we are aunts and uncles and we are parents.

Most of you in this room, if not all of you, would know a gay or lesbian person.

You might work with them, they could be a family member, and they could be a neighbour. 

Gays and lesbians are members of our community just like everyone else. 

We are nurses, teachers, cleaners, transport workers, construction workers and small business owners.

We are interested in the same issues as everyone else -- jobs, growth and fairness. We want a well resourced health system; quality education; action on climate change and a strong economy.

Marriage equality is about giving us the same rights as everyone else.  

By saying yes to marriage equality, you are supporting equal rights for all Australians.

Marriage equality is not only a human rights issue; but follows in a long line of important social justice reforms made by Labor Governments throughout Australian history.

I believe we are at our best as a political party when we work together to make our country a fairer and more inclusive place.

In closing, I would like to thank delegates who are supporting this platform change today. 

Every vote counts, every message of support counts in this debate.

Support for this amendment represents another step towards the removal of discrimination that is intensely felt by Australians who have been living in long-term, loving, same-sex relationships and those who aspire to such relationships.

It will help ensure that all Australians, regardless of their sexual orientation, are shown the dignity and respect to which they are entitled.

Thank you.