AUSTRALIA – Australian Prime Minister Julia Gillard is set to reverse her position on gay marriage. According to the Australian Daily Telegraph government sources are claiming she will announce a conscience vote on the issue within weeks. Government sources said the prime minister would state her position ahead of the Labor Party’s national conference in December.
Left wing and some right-wing members of parliament (MP) who are delegates to the Labor conference will push for a reversal of the party’s platform, which currently opposes gay marriage.
If approved, a path would be cleared for Ms. Gillard to call for a conscience vote on the issue in parliament.
But the Telegraph also reported that it is not certain to be passed in parliament, as many conservative MPs deeply oppose gay marriage. Government sources said despite supporting a conscience vote, it wouldn’t necessarily mean the prime minister would support gay marriage itself.
Ms. Gillard is on the record as opposing gay marriage – and claims her position has been consistent with the Labor Party’s national policy platform. But she has also stated previously she would not allow Labor MPs a free vote on it.
A recent poll has suggested that support for marriage equality could net Labor a five percent swing in its favor.
