Liberal premier backs gay marriage

[mantra]

This will be interesting. Will Abbott back Barry O'Farrell, Liberal premier of NSW, in his quest to legalise gay marriage? If so - the Liberals will really become liberal. Abbott has yet to approve a conscience vote - although Gillard already has.

"It's all about family" O'Farrell says.

Barry O'Farrell has declared his strong support for legalising same-sex marriage in Australia and challenged federal Opposition Leader Tony Abbott to allow a conscience vote on the issue.

In the first public comments confirming his support a day after the New Zealand parliament voted to change its national laws, the Premier said same-sex marriage was ''about family''.

While his preference was for the Federal Parliament to change the Marriage Act, if a parliamentary inquiry in NSW found the state could act alone, he would vote for legislation that might be introduced.

''My view - a view that I've come to in recent years - is that as a Liberal who believes that commitment and family units are one of the best ways in which society is organised, I support the concept of same-sex marriage,'' Mr O'Farrell said. ''We should, as governments, be encouraging commitment. As societies we should be encouraging commitment. Because, ultimately, people caring for each other works side by side with governments to create better communities.''

At the federal level, Prime Minister Julia Gillard does not favour change but has allowed Labor MPs a conscience vote. But Mr Abbott, who is also opposed, has ruled out a conscience vote for Liberal MPs, a decision viewed as contributing to the failure of same-sex marriage bills last year. Asked about Mr Abbott's position, Mr O'Farrell said Federal Parliament ''ought to reflect the community and allow same-sex marriage. I think in coming to that decision the Federal Parliament should do so by way of a conscience vote across all parties.''

Read more: http://www.smh.com.au/opinion/political ... z2QrgDzhnw

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[Rorschach]

You're an idiot if you think Abbott will change his mind. Has Gillard?

As for O'Farrell, he has his own opinion yet he is only 1 person.
There are lots of people who'd disagree with him.
So far out of 3 political leaders mentioned he is alone in his opinion.
I don't agree with him. Do you?

[mantra]

I don't agree with him. Do you?

No I don't - but that's because I'm not as far left as some here would portray me.

I also don't agree with him selling Port Botany to the Arabs nor the fact that duck hunting will resume in NSW - same goes for amateur hunting in our National Parks.

[Rorschach]

It's a 99 year lease mantra.
Considering the hole Labor left us in it aint that bad a deal.
got any ducks in danger?
Visit national parks very often?

[mantra]

It's a 99 year lease mantra.
Considering the hole Labor left us in it aint that bad a deal.
got any ducks in danger?
Visit national parks very often?

A lot can happen in 99 years which could change the face of Australia.

As far as amateur shooting in National Parks - it's unregulated. I don't visit them these days, but plenty of visitors still do. The amateur shooters take precedence now over visitors and the Park Rangers are requesting bullet proof vests. Isn't there any bit of ground left in NSW which can be kept pristine and away from the shooters and miners?

Duck hunting is well renowned for being a cruel sport.

[AiA in Atlanta]

NZ has pulled ahead on the issue of gay marriage ... American assets are going over to the Chinese as well and the public is generally unaware.

[mantra]

NZ has pulled ahead on the issue of gay marriage ... American assets are going over to the Chinese as well and the public is generally unaware.

It has been well publicised over the years that China holds trillions of dollars in US credit notes, but it seems that the warning signs have been ignored by the plebs. This is another reason why the US is building up their defense forces in Australia. Australia's role is piggy in the middle.

[AiA in Atlanta]

The Chinese have a long-term lease on a toll road in Florida and the so-called *conservative* politicians there were happy to get money for the state in return ... it is the same around the world: money talks. Given the toxic state of the Chinese food system I imagine that China consumers will demand safer food and turn to Australia, Canada and the USA to meet that demand.

[mantra]

The Chinese have a long-term lease on a toll road in Florida and the so-called *conservative* politicians there were happy to get money for the state in return ... it is the same around the world: money talks. Given the toxic state of the Chinese food system I imagine that China consumers will demand safer food and turn to Australia, Canada and the USA to meet that demand.

The most positive news we've heard here in the last few days is the demand that Australia should increase their food exports by 400%. Now that mining is taking a nosedive - we need to up our revenue on other essential exports. With the ever increasing global population - food production will help maintain our standard of living.

Hopefully Canada and the US will want to follow the same path.

[AiA in Atlanta]

The farmers in China don't eat the toxic rice they grow but happily sell it into the food chain. Wealthy Chinese buy foreign food. China now has "cancer villages." It isn't pretty.