It took the words of a rock star and a comedy actress to demonstrate the lunacy and callousness of the Australia’s government reluctance to pass a marriage equality law.
Jimmy Barnes and Magda Szubanski were the faces of Australia’s Modern Families when they appeared on the ABC’s Q&A alongside National Party Senator Fiona Nash.
As a member of the sitting LNP government, Nash represented the weak and cruel company line of her government and did not once stray from the internal policy.
When Jimmy and Magda spoke from the heart and Nash responded from the company text book she came across as yet another a cold-hearted politician.
Jimmy Barnes said what a lot of Australia have already been saying, that the Plebiscite is a waste of money. “I don’t think we need to spend $170 million when there are people sleeping on the streets, there are kids that are hungry, there are families that need counseling with domestic violence. There are all sorts of better ways to spend money than on a non-binding plebiscite”.
Magda asked Nash, “If I was your daughter, being gay, would you think I should have the right to be married?”.
The response from the Senator, “My view is still the traditional view of marriage. I love my children regardless of what they ever bought home to me would make no difference at all. I completely respect your view and your desire to see that as equality …”
“… but you won’t give me my rights,” Magda said finishing the sentence.
Nash then went back to her LNP rulebook for guidance. “People have different views and the nation should be able to determine what that majority view is. We are trying to let the Australian people tell us that and then the law will change,” she said.
Magda recalled her personal experiences to showcase the government’s cruel policy about equality. “The difference between LGBTQI people and any other minority is that in every other minority group the family shares the minority status,” she said.
“As an LGBTQI person, you are a minority of one within your own family. It is such a precarious feeling. It means you are not considered to be a fully human person,” she said.
“Every time they knock back those bills in Parliament how do you think we feel? We know it’s telling us we’re lesser. That contributes to the lack of self-esteem and the self-harm that LGBTQI people have done to ourselves for decades.”
Tony Burke, the Manager of Opposition Business for the Labor Party said they will oppose the Plebiscite. Together with independent senators and the Labor Party, it is unlikely the Plebiscite will pass the Senate and be taken to the public.
The Jimmy Barnes book ‘Working Class Boy’, about his life as a Scotish migrant, was published this week.
Jimmy Barnes WORKING CLASS BOY: An Evening of Stories and Songs
Tuesday, 15 November 2016
The Wendouree Centre for Performing Arts, Ballarat, Vic
Tickets available from the Venue | 03 5338 0980 and www.wcpa.com.au
Thursday, 17 November 2016
Lighthouse Theatre, Warrnambool, Vic
Tickets available from the Venue | 03 5559 4999 and www.lighthousetheatre.com.au
Friday, 18 November 2016
Ulumbarra Theatre, Bendigo, Vic
Tickets available from the Venue | 03 5434 6100 | www.gotix.com.au
Saturday, 19 November 2016
Regent Theatre, Melbourne, Vic
Tickets available from Ticketmaster | 136 100 and www.ticketmaster.com.au
Sunday, 20 November 2016
West Gippsland Arts Centre, Warragul, Vic
Tickets available from the Venue | 03 5624 2456 and www.wgac.com.au
Friday, 25 November 2016
Her Majesty’s Theatre, Adelaide, SA
Tickets available from BASS | 131 246 and www.bass.net.au
Saturday, 26 November 2016
The Barossa Arts & Convention Centre, Barossa Valley, SA
Tickets available from Ticketmaster | 136 100 and www.ticketmaster.com.au
Thursday, 1 December 2016
Brisbane City Hall, Brisbane, Qld
Tickets available from Ticketmaster | 136 100 and www.ticketmaster.com.au
Friday, 2 December 2016
Jupiter’s Hotel & Casino, Gold Coast, Qld
Tickets available from Ticketek | 13 28 49 and www.ticketek.com.au
Saturday, 3 December 2016
Saraton Theatre, Grafton, NSW
Tickets available from the Venue | 02 6642 1633 and www.saraton.com
Thursday, 8 December 2016
Shoalhaven Entertainment Centre, Nowra, NSW
Tickets available from the Venue | 1300 788 503 and www.shoalhavenentertainment.com.au
Friday, 9 December 2016
Anita’s Theatre, Thirroul, NSW
Tickets available from Ticketmaster | 136 100 and www.ticketmaster.com.au
Saturday, 10 December 2016
Sydney Opera House, Sydney, NSW
Tickets available from the Venue | 02 9250 7777 and www.sydneyoperahouse.com
Sunday, 11 December 2016
Canberra Theatre Centre, Canberra, ACT
Tickets available from the Venue | 02 6275 2700 and www.canberratheatrecentre.com.au
Wednesday, 14 December 2016
Albany Entertainment Centre, Albany, WA
Tickets available from the Venue | 08 9844 5005
and Ticketek | 13 28 49 and www.ticketek.com.au
Thursday, 15 December 2016
Bunbury Regional Entertainment Centre, Bunbury, WA
Tickets available from the Venue | 1300 661 272 and www.bunburyentertainment.com
Friday, 16 December 2016
Perth Concert Hall, Perth, WA
Tickets available from the Venue | 08 9231 9999 and www.perthconcerthall.com.au -and- Ticketmaster | 136 100 and www.ticketmaster.com.au
Saturday, 17 December 2016
Queens Park Theatre, Geraldton, WA
Tickets available from the Venue | 08 9956 6662 and www.queensparktheatre.com.au
Please note that in keeping with the nature of this production, the show will be staged over two acts with a short interval. There will be no support band so Jimmy will be onstage from the advertised starting time at all shows.
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