Hunt converts to same-sex marriage cause Neil Walker neil@mpnews.com.au ONGOING tensions within the Liberal Party over the legalisation of samesex marriage have been downplayed by federal MP for Flinders Greg Hunt. A passionate Mr Hunt told The News last Friday he believed media claims of internal party divisions in the aftermath of a Liberal party room meeting earlier this month to discuss same-sex marriage legalisation have been overblown. Workplace Minister Eric Abetz slamming cabinet leakers as “gutless� as differences of opinion on same-sex marriage emerged publicly after the
meeting held behind closed doors in the Liberal party room on Tuesday 11 August. Mr Hunt revealed he spoke in favour of marriage equality during the Liberal party room debate and backed a “free conscience vote� by MPs not tied along party policy lines. “I do support same-sex marriage and that view has evolved over recent years through conversations with the community,� he said. Mr Hunt has changed his mind on same-sex marriage since voting against a private members bill in September 2012 to legalise marriage for gay and lesbian couples. The member for Flinders was among 98 MPs who voted against the
proposal. Just 42 supported the bill at the time. Mr Hunt said he now supports samesex marriage “subject to strong protections of religious freedom�. The Environment Minister in the Abbott government says there is no animosity between himself and Dunkley Liberal MP and Small Business Minister Bruce Billson, for example, despite differing views on same-sex marriage (‘Liberals remain divided on same-sex marriage’, The News 18/8/15). Mr Billson favours “the formal recognition of same-sex relationships� rather than its legalisation and says “going to a process after the next election that puts the question [on legalis-
ing same-sex marriage] to the people enables all individuals to have their say�. Prime Minister Tony Abbott, a longtime opponent of same-sex marriage, has rejected any party room backing of a free vote for Liberal MPs and instead favours a national plebiscite or referendum if the Coalition government wins a second term in office. Opposition leader Bill Shorten has vowed to legalise same-sex marriage without a plebiscite or referendum within 100 days of Labor winning government. Changed vows: Flinders MP Greg Hunt now backs same-sex marriage having previously voted against its legalisation.
Human rights czar puts family first at forum Neil Walker neil@mpnews.com.au A HIGH-PROFILE federal government appointee with family links to the Mornington Peninsula is set to address a Liberal Party event in Mt Martha early next month. Australia’s Human Rights Commissioner Tim Wilson, who makes regular media appearances on shows such as the ABC’s Q&A and Channel Ten’s The Project, will be guest speaker at the Briars Historic Homestead in Mt Martha and it is a homecoming of sorts for the man dubbed the “Freedom Commissioner� by federal Attorney-General George Brandis. Mr Wilson lived in Mt Martha before
heading for the bright lights of Melbourne and is a former student of The Peninsula School. His mother is Linda Morris, wife of Liberal Mornington MP David Morris, and the ‘Advanced Human Rights in Australia’ event at The Briars features both Mr Morris and Mr Wilson on promotional material. “It’s not a fundraiser,� Mr Wilson said. “I speak to a lot of political parties because political parties are where you often find people who are interested in human rights and part of my role is human rights education so I try to do that as often as possible.� Mr Wilson has spoken at events hosted by The Australian Greens and Liberal Democrats parties during his time
as Human Rights Commissioner. The former research fellow at rightwing think tank the Institute of Public Affairs resigned as a Liberal Party and IPA member when contentiously employed by the Abbott government as Human Rights Commissioner early last year. He did admit to bias last week. Mr Wilson said he agreed to speak at the Mornington electorate conference hosted by Mr Morris “because my mother asked meâ€?. “She asked me to come down and speak ‌ I’ll confess my mother does get better treatment than anyone else.â€? The Human Rights Commissioner will talk about freedom of speech, religious freedom and same-sex marriage as part of his talk at the Liberal Party
event in Mt Martha. He makes it clear to political parties that any forum he speaks at not be a fundraising event and a modest fee to cover any necessary costs only is allowed. Any event must also fit in with existing Human Rights Commission travel unless the political party is prepared to cover his travel expenses. Mr Wilson has a holiday home on the peninsula. “I actually head down to the peninsula regularly,� he said. The Advanced Human Rights in Australia event will be held at the Briars Historic Homestead, 450 Nepean Hwy, Mt Martha on Monday 7 September, 6.30pm. Tickets $20 each. Call Linda Morris on 03 5975 4799 for bookings. Non-Liberal Party members welcome.
Mt Martha bound: Human Rights Commissioner will speak at a Liberal Party event early next month.
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