Australia’s first female Prime Minister opposed to same-sex marriage
| 24 June 2010
Julia Gillard will become Australia's first female prime minister after Kevin Rudd decided not to take part in a leadership ballot this morning.
The change in leadership was decided shortly after 9am this morning after Rudd stood aside to avoid defeat rather than face off with Gillard in the leadership ballot.
"I feel very honoured and I will be making a full statement very shortly," Gillard said to the media as she left the party room.
Rudd did not answer questions from the media as he left the meeting but returned shortly after to address the press. Fighting back tears, an emotional Rudd said he had "given it my all" and vowed to stay on and fight for the re-election of Labor at the next election.
Rudd outlined a list of his achievements as Prime Minister which included Australia avoiding the worst of the global financial crisis, abolishing Work Choices, making major reforms to health care, and delivery of infrastructure like the national broadband network.
"What I am less proud of is the fact that I have now blubbered," he joked.
Replacing Gillard as Deputy Prime Minister is Wayne Swan who took the position in an uncontested ballot. Swan will also continue to serve as Treasurer.
Gillard will address the media this afternoon prior to being sworn in as prime minister by Governor-General Quentin Bryce.
What will the change of leadership mean for the GLBTQI community?
In an interview with Sky News political editor David Speers in July last year, Gillard made her feelings on same-sex marriage clear.
"The Government’s position is very clear that marriage is marriage between a man and a woman," Gillard told Speers at the time.
Further questioning from Speers prompted Gillard to reveal her personal view on same-sex marriage was the same as the government’s standpoint.
How do you think Gillard will perform in the role of Prime Minister?
Subscribe to this comment's feedwritten by Ali Hogg , July 02, 2010
Julia Gillard HAS expressed personal opposition since being PM. And fair enough to ask for a range of things concerning LGBTI people but the reality is that the ban on same sex marriage is about broader issues than just marriage. It is a major law set in place in Australia that says that LGBTI people are somehow less deserving of a right than heterosexuals. It is a massive slap in the face for all LGBTI people if you plan to get married or not. I think it was important that MCV reminded people of Gillard's bad positions on the issue at a time when everybody was like a deer in the headlights thinking Gillard was going to be our savior! This is why the rallies are important. We cannot rely on either major party. People should come out and show their opposition and tell the government that we will not stand for their homophobic laws on August 14 @ 1pm State Library!
written by Whatever Wherever Who Cares! , June 26, 2010
Labor, Liberal - they're both just two factions of the same CORPORATE PARTY. Two sides of the same coin, two cheeks on the same fat, bloated arse. Nothing will ever change for our community until we get off our collective butts, drag our sorry selves away from our junk food diets and mindless TV distractions, and take to the streets to demand change.
written by Greg Adkins , June 25, 2010
Nice work MCV... grab comments from July last year and enter the race to package the first anti-Gillard headline.
Maybe the MCV's role, as one of a very small number of gay media outlets, would be better positioned to canvass the range of issues impacting GLBT community - R A N G E - rather than constantly returning to a dialogue that tells us that marriage is the only issue we should be concerned about.
Here's a tip. Now Julia is PM, maybe MCV can request a time for interview on ALL issues instead of digging through back issues and reincarnating old news.
written by Cooper , June 25, 2010
The title on this story is completely misleading. The quote clearly stipulates that she is just reiterating what the party line is. While I have no doubt she'll continue to toe the party line on the issue, how about you cover the story with a more accurate headline? There is no personal opposition stated.
