Tasmanian Liberal candidate declares support for same-sex marriage
This media release was issued by the TGLRG on 4.8.10
The Liberal Party candidate in the Hobart-based seat of Denison, Cameron Simpkins, has said he will "take up the sword" for same-sex marriage if elected on August 21st.
Speaking last night at a Tasmanian Gay and Lesbian Rights Group election forum in Hobart, Mr Simpkins described the problems facing his gay friends and family members because of legal and social discrimination, and said he personally supports allowing same-sex couples to marry even though the Liberal Party opposes the reform.
"I believe in personal freedom - people should be able to live their lives without the government telling us what to do or in this case who to love", Mr Simpkins said.
"If I am elected and there is a conscience vote within the Liberal Party to allow same-sex couples to marry, I will vote for that for reform."
"I will take up the sword for full legal equality for all Australians whether they are heterosexual or homosexual."
Mr Simpkins, who was formerly a Major in the Australian Defence Force, also pledged his personal opposition to election materials which incite hatred against lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex (LGBTI) people, despite the Liberal Party's failure to sign a similar pledge on Saturday
Both commitments prompted applause from forum-goers.
Tasmanian gay activists have welcomed Mr Simpkins support for marriage equality.
Tasmanian Gay and Lesbian Rights Group spokesperson, Rodney Croome, said Mr Simpkins' stance reflects public opinion and puts pressure on other candidates to do the same.
"Although Cameron Simpkins' is acting out of principle, he is also one of the few major party candidates who is accurately reflecting the mood of the community, which according to opinion polls is 60% in favour of allowing same-sex couples to marry", Mr Croome.
"We know there are many other major-party candidates who personally support marriage equality and we call on them to follow Mr Simpkins' lead."
Also present at last night's forum were Greens Senator, Christine Milne, Labor candidate for Denison, Jonathan Jackson, Independent, Andrew Wilkie, Tim Neal from the Australian Democrats, Mel Barnes from the Socialist Alliance, and Jeff Keogh from the Secular Party.
All candidates expressed strong, direct support for marriage equality, except Mr Jackson who emphasised Labor's record on civil unions in Tasmania and financial entitlements federally and said he would work within the Labor Party for further reform including national anti-discrimination laws, school anti-homophobia programs and gay anti-suicide programs.
Other candidates made similar commitments and the Greens' re-iterated their commitment to a government-funded national peak body for the LGBTI community.
The TGLRG will conduct another candidate forum in Launceston on Thursday, August 12th.
The electorate of Denison has been held by retiring Labor member, Duncan Kerr, since 1987 and includes inner-city Hobart suburbs where support for the Greens is relatively high, the city's northern industrial suburbs which have traditionally been a Labor stronghold and some of the city's wealthier southern suburbs where there is strong Liberal support.
For downloadable photos from last night's forum visit:
http://news.webshots.com/album/578308128sOaXBe
For more information about the election anti-hate pledge visit:
http://tglrg.org/more/459_0_1_0_M/
For further comment from Mr Simpkins call 0458 660 866.
For more information call Rodney Croome on 0409 010 6678.