Abbott disappointed in himself
Tony Abbott has said he feels disappointed in himself for saying in a TV interview four years ago he felt "a bit threatened" by gays.
In a 60 Minutes interview last night the Leader of the Opposition re-visited his remarks with the same interviewer, Liz Hayes.
He blamed his use of the word "threatened" on the "tough times" his family was going through with the coming out of his sister Christine Forster.
"The cohesion of my family was threatened at that time, but I'm pleased to say we're all in a better space now than we were then," Abbott said.
Forster has admitted she was disappointed by Abbott's former remarks but also "taken aback".
"It doesn't really reflect what I know of my brother," she said.
Australian Marriage Equality national convenor Rodney Croome said he was disappointed Abbott still refuses to endorse same-sex marriage and continues to refuse his MPs a conscience vote on the matter.
"You can't draw lines around other people's humanity by accepting who they are but rejecting their fundamental human rights," Croome said.
"Tony Abbott cannot say he truly accepts his lesbian sister, Christine, until he has also accepted Christine's partner, Virginia, as her wife and his sister-in-law."
"If Tony Abbott is sincere in his support for family values he will follow the example of UK Prime Minister, David Cameron, and support these values for same-sex couples as well," Croome added.
Marriage equality was recently endorsed by the federal Young Liberals and has received support from prominent coalition MPs such as Malcolm Turnbull and Barnaby Joyce., NSW Premier Barry O'Farrell and WA Premier Colin Barnett.
- Tags: Australian Marriage Equality, Blaze, Christine Forster, Conscience vote, gay marriage, marriage equality, MCV, Queensland Pride, Rodney Croome, Same-sex Marriage, SX, Tony Abbott
Comments (4)
How will this Queen's Charter affect us? The Queen actually only signed the Charter, just as she, or her agents the Governor-General or Governors sign all legislation passed by our governments, It is a Charter, reportedly agreed to by all member states of the Commonwealth &, as I understand it, it is binding on all of them. So where does that leave the issue of Same Gender Marriage? If they have, as reported, outlawed Discrimination of Any Sort whatsoever then surely that means they have to change existing Laws which prevent Same Gender Marriage?
Those Commonwealth Countries which still hold Homosexuality (Male &/or Female) to be Illegal will have to change their Laws too, won't they?
Those Commonwealth Countries which hold homosexual sexual acts (M&F) to be illegal will have to rescind those laws too, won't they?
If not, why not?
Either they have agreed to eliminate ALL Discrimination or they haven't. They can't have it both ways.
Don't worry, we're disappointed in you too, Tony.
Tony Abbott, when he has power, has always been a horrific homophobe. When my beloved was a young doctor on a Federal Award, he was seconded to a remote country hospital. Accommodation was not provided for us as a couple, unless we could produce a Marriage Certificate. Tony Abbott was the Health Minister, and he refused to change things or help. It was some Green senators who stepped in. Tony Abbott is not offering to change the 1084 laws that mention the Marriage Act. Tony Abbott is offering to treat us as second class citizens for his term of government. Ask yourself where are the policies of the LNP to end discrimination?
"A bit threatened"? I would have thought that a bit meek of him! How about "absolutely mortified"?