The speech that received a well-deserved standing ovation.
“Marriage equality is a campaign of hope. It is a campaign of justice. It is a campaign of equality, but most of all, delegates — and this is why we will win — it is a campaign for those we love.”
This was the powerful message Senator Penny Wong delivered at the weekend.
In what was surely the speech of her career, Senator Wong called for Labor to unite as a party in favour of marriage equality in parliament at the Australian Labor Party conference.
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SenWong arrived onstage to a lengthy standing ovation — wild cheering and applause from the crowd.
“Thank you, delegates,” she commenced, clearly overwhelmed by her reception.
“That was a very kind thing to do.”
The emotions continued to run high for the rest of her rousing presentation, in which Senator Wong recalled the first time the party decided to include marriage equality in its platform.
“I commend a resolution that ends the conscience vote in the Labor Party on a matter that should never have been a conscience vote,” she said.
“I don’t think I’ve had a prouder day as a member of the Labor Party and I will be prouder still when we deliver marriage equality in law.”
Sen Wong, who has long been an advocate for marriage equality and has two children with partner Sophie Allouche, thanked her colleagues and the LGBTI advocates for their hard work.
“I thank you from the bottom of my heart for the work you’ve done,” she said.
“I say to you, progress has never been easily won. Reform is never easily won. We in this party understand that absolutely.
“So let’s go out from here and put the pressure on the Liberals not only for a free vote but on every lib member and senator who supports equality, stand up for what you believe in.
Related: One paragraph that explains equal love perfectly.
“Delegates what I would say to you is this, LGBTI Australians deserve equal treatment before the law. And I say to you the aspiration for equality is remarkable persistence. And we will continue until we win,” Sen Wong continued.
“Marriage equality is a campaign of hope. It is a campaign of justice. It is a campaign of equality, but most of all, delegates — and this is why we will win — it is a campaign for those we love.
“For our partners, for our friends, our sisters, our brothers, our sons and our daughters, I commend this resolution to the floor and I thank you all.”
At the end of the powerful speech, Senator Wong was loudly applauded. Fairfax Media reports that on her way out, she caught a rainbow flag thrown her way by a supporter.
Watch the speech here:
Negotiations on the issue of marriage equality dominated the final day of the ALP conference yesterday.
While Mr Shorten wanted a conscience vote on the issue, the party’s left passed a motion for a binding vote on same-sex marriage — a move that risked embarrassing Mr Shorten, ABC News reports.
Eventually, opposition leader Bill Shorten and Tanya Plibersek brokered a compromise: as The Guardian reports, Labor MPs and Senators will now be bound to vote in favour of marriage equality within three months if the party is elected into power.
“I promise that within a hundred days of a Labor government being elected that I lead, I shall move in the Parliament of Australia for marriage equality for Australians,” Mr Shorten said.
Tanya Plibersek said she’d prefer the move to happen sooner, but accepted the compromise.
“I still hope we can have marriage equality by Christmas. But if this Parliament doesn’t pass marriage equality, a Shorten Labor government will in its first 100 days,” she said.
Social media reactions to Senator Wong’s speech:
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Top Comments
"I don't think I've had a prouder day, as a member of the Labor party, and I will be prouder still when we deliver marriage equality in law.
“Marriage equality is a campaign of hope. It is a campaign of justice. It is a campaign of equality, but most of all, delegates — and this is why we will win — it is a campaign for those we love.”
- Where is the hope, justice, equality and love for asylum seekers?
On the same day Penny Wong proclaimed that she has not had a prouder day, Labor voted to align themselves with the Liberal policy of turning boats around. I,don't think I've had a profounder day.
So why was she so adamently against it during their time in government? Why is it always up to the Liberal Party to make social changes like these? Julia Gillard had her chance and she was very vocally opposed to gay marriage. You cannot rewrite history. I have a gay son and support gay marriage. I also vote Liberal. Not all of us have short memories!
I think you have forgotten that it was the Labor Party, under Julia Gillard, that allowed its members a conscience vote on same sex marriage in the House of Reps. Maybe SSM would be legal today if Tony Abbott had given his members the same freedom!
I agree. I'm happy this is their policy on marriage - but I'm so disappointed on their view on asylum seekers, they need to change the discussion around Asylum Seekers, stop crapping on about boats/people smugglers.
Hi, you need to actually listen to the video. She is extremely emotional when she said she had to vote for her own discrimination. Labor stands in solidarity on issues in their platform. As a Senator, Penny Wong would have voted on the party position. That is why it is a strong party, regardless of what others think. However, as a party they continue to progress issues and fight for their beliefs, and that is why we have finally reached this point. If you read the Plibersek article on Mama Mia, it is also explained there. Another misconception you have is about Julia Gillard. Yes, she personally was not in favour of marriage equality; however she strongly believed in everyone's individual right to vote on the matter. She never prevented anyone in the party from voting for Marriage equality. She did not believe in a binding vote, she believed in a conscience vote. At least Labor have the guts to push for a binding vote. Guts to face tough issues is something the Liberals sorely lack. I do not know why it is relevant that you say you have a Gay son. By voting Liberal you are voting against Marriage equality; so it is obviously not a key issue for you. It is like saying "I absolutely love coal mining, but I vote Greens"