[Re: a message by a parliamentary member of the Australian Labor Party in WA posted to the GALE-WA yahoo group]
A few points of view I think should be aired at this point.
Firstly, it isn't just the ALP's record that attracts criticism, but also the Democrats and the Greens. On a Federal level the ALP is justly scorned for its insistence on waiting for a whole-of-legislation approach when they form government while ignoring the piecemeal opportunities as they rise. Similarly we have seen the Democrats go weak at the negotiation table while the Greens have lacked the initiative to actually instigate reform. State campaigns and reforms are an entirely different species with fantastic work from all three parties.
Secondly, this site has never displayed a bias for one party over another. Even though at times one party may have been more highly represented in its membership of GALE, that may be more indicative of the differences in the way each party partakes in activism and lobbying, than in any political bias; social activism at the grass roots vs. legislative amendments from an upper house minor party vs. a holistic approach from the government.
Thirdly, Any perceived "anti-Labor" sentiment expressed in the community, along with similar discontent with the Greens or Democrats, is merely an outpouring of disappointment and feelings of betrayal. Nobody would ever be disappointed with the conservatives, because we do not have any positive expectations of them. However, when one of our allies lets us down in even the smallest way we naturally feel betrayed. Our community holds the view that the Libs can do no good and our allies can do no wrong. Neither is 100% accurate. If Australia's first out lesbian Liberal is elected in Queensland will we be turning to her for human rights reforms? I doubt we would waste our breath. Policies and action matter, not personalities.
Fourthly, "endless stunts by the Greens and Democrats" should be welcomed by this community because they offer media scrutiny of REAL issues that require REAL solutions. The ALP could just as easily have supported these "stunts" rather than demonising them as useless to the campaign for equality (which they clearly were not!). The cynics among us would believe that the ALP wants to wait until it is in government (even if that takes a further decade) so that it can try to claim the kudos of Federal reforms to itself, rather than having to support a series of minor party amendments that would have started the road to major reform much sooner. If the ALP are not in Government after October 9 it will be interesting to see how they go about delivering equal rights. Will they attempt a holistic omnibus bill from opposition, offer piecemeal legislation or ad hoc amendments as the Democrats do, or will they simply wait another three years to romance us at the next election? Only time will tell if the Federal ALP have as much guts as the WA ALP.
Fifthly, the commitment of some ALP parliamentarians (and those of some other parties) is not questioned. We should all support their work and hope for their continued success. However, the individuals do not make the party 100% friendly. Heterosexism and homophobia is evident in the ALP as much as it is evident in the Democrats and, although I have no experience of it, possibly the Greens. Such division is a fact of politics so none of the parties should be judged by the individuals and personalities. They must only be judged upon their policies and their actions. A lack of action is often as detrimental as an action against our cause.
The sixth point. Anyone who doesn't preference the ALP ahead of the Liberals is clearly not voting for our cause. But it is my opinion, shared by many others, that regardless of which major party is in government after October 9, the Australian Parliament will only be a more democratic institution with the addition of more minor parties and independents. By all means put the ALP ahead of the Libs and other conservatives, but also ensure that our minor party allies are placed ahead of the ALP to give them a fighting chance.
Finally, it could be argued that GALE has never been an effective lobby group. That it was actually been a handful of dedicated individuals over many decades that were the success behind the lobbying and that very little of the state reforms had much to do with GALE (the association, not the members). Certain individuals deserve the kudos, not GALE or any other single organisation. GALE has only ever had minor, sometimes divisive, support from the community and hardly ever had a full complement of committee and volunteers to do the necessary work. This is the same with any community organisation. While the 80/20 rule usually applies, in the GLBTIQ community it is fairer to assume a 95/5 rule applies equally to Pride, GLCS and other groups as much as it does for GALE. Apathy is our enemy, second only to complacency.
In conclusion, any criticism of our allies is not to be seen as throwing the baby out with the bathwater. We have (too) high expectations and are let down more times than exceeded. Such is the nature of politics and the road to equality. Just ask anyone involved in the lobbying for the rights of women, indigenous groups or refugees. The road is long and tough and criticism should be appreciated as an opportunity to learn and change. If you can't take the heat ... well you know the rest!
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