More Information:

Ms Alex Sosnov (Convenor)
0418 207 027

Mr Anthony Schembri
(Convenor)
0412 523 978

PRESS RELEASE - 16 October 2001

No way, Prime Minister

The Gay and Lesbian Rights Lobby (GLRL) has slammed the Howard Government’s record and urged lesbians and gay men to shun it at the polls.

Female Co-convenor, Alex Sosnov listed some of the failures of the Government:
“It has attacked our families, denied us equality in superannuation, cut immigration for same sex partners and wound back the few protections we had at Federal level.”

Male Co-convenor, Anthony Schembri referred to the Prime Minister’s own woeful performance:
“Mr Howard has attempted to mislead our community with dishonest statements that he does not support discrimination and intends to govern for all Australians. He then opposes every attempt to improve our human rights and attacks us at every opportunity. Personally I’m sick of the white picket fence rhetoric which has been such a hallmark of this Prime Minister and this Government. It legitimates bigotry and can only further marginalise our community.”

It is unlikely a Howard led Government will ever support gay and lesbian rights. Accordingly, GLRL has taken the unprecedented step of advising the community not to help return it by not voting for the Liberal Party. As an independent lobby group, GLRL has built relationships with all parties with remarkable success. It has not generally advised for or against voting for particular major parties in the past. However, as noted by Ms Sosnov, there has never been a starker choice:
“The choice is pretty clear. Don’t return the Howard Government if you value your rights. Even better let your local Liberal candidate know why you’re not voting for him or her.”

There is still plenty of choice for lesbians and gay men this election. Greens and Democrats generally support legal equality for members of our community. Labor still has some way to go but has committed to reform superannuation if elected and will consider other issues. Some voters will also have the option of a supportive independent or member of a smaller party.
GLRL has warned of the need to be careful where preferences are directed. Ms Sosnov pointed out

“It wouldn’t be the first time that a lesbian or gay voter has voted for a seemingly supportive candidate or party, unaware that preferences were being directed to another party or individual with a homophobic agenda. Before the last State poll there was a proliferation of tiny microparties - all furiously doing preference deals. Frequently, a vote for one was effectively a vote for a diametrically opposed group.”

Preferences need to be carefully checked in each case or voters can simply vote below the line, numbering all their preferences themselves.