Delegates, it is a great privilege to rise to second this amendment to our platform.
An amendment which reflects the values of our great party. An amendment that expresses the belief in equality we share.
And a change which is long overdue.
This has been a long debate inside our party. At times, a difficult debate.
But understand why so many amongst us have continued to advocate for change.
Currently Labor's platform enshrines different and lesser treatment for some Australians on the basis, and only on the basis, of their sexuality. In this it makes clear that not all Australians are equal.
If instead lesser rights were proposed on the basis of race or age or class or any other attribute there would not be a person in this hall who would countenance it.
...But until now our party has accepted it and we should accept it no longer.
Labor has a proud history of removing discrimination and of extending equality.
It was Labor governments which finally abolished the White Australia policy; which legislated against discrimination on the grounds of race, of sex, of age and disability; a Labor prime minister who first spoke to both the men and women of Australia.
And it is this Labor government that removed discrimination against same-sex couples in more than 80 areas of the law reforms of which we can be proud.
But it is time to fully reflect this heritage and these values in our platform.
But delegates this is more than a debate about the words in this amendment.
This is a deeply personal debate.
For gay and lesbian Australians, in the party and the community. For our families, our parents and our friends, our brothers, our sisters. It is about our most intimate relationships. It is about the people we love.
And that is why so many of us care so deeply. That is why the campaign has been so strong. And that is why it cannot be dismissed.
Because it speaks to a simple truth. We know the worth of our relationships.
We want their value reflected in, and not diminished by, the party's platform.
Sometimes in this debate, people speak of difference. Focus on things they say set us apart.
But our relationships are not so different. They are also about the sharing of a life together, with all the love, commitment, difficulties, joy and hope this human intimacy brings.
Our aspirations are not so different. In this, want the same opportunity others have. To make a commitment to another. To have it recognised. To have it respected.
And we are not so different. We are your colleagues, your workmates, your friends, your family.
So do not treat us differently. Do not ask us any longer to accept our relations being treated as lesser. Less worthy, less valued, simply because of the gender of our partner.
I say to those who oppose change, there is nothing to fear from equality. Marriages between men and women are not devalued, nor made less secure by this change. It will not see fewer heterosexual couples marrying, nor will it make those marriages less likely to last.
Equality does not diminish the worth of your relationships. It simply recognises the worth of ours.
Delegates, I have attended many national conferences and this debate has been had many times. Sometimes in public. Sometimes not. But one thing is clear. It is a debate we have to resolve. Because it will not disappear. There is nothing so persistent as the aspiration for equality.
That is why you see members across the country calling for equality. That is why Rainbow Labor has worked so hard, so effectively, across all groupings in the party.
That is why so many Australians have signed petitions, and attended events, and sent you letters and postcards and emails.
And that is why you see the mums and dads of gay and lesbian Australians here today asking this party to give their child equal rights.
Surely Australia has reached a point where we can value relationships by markers such as respect, commitment and love.
Surely this party can be as consistent in our principles as we are called to be. As so many of our members are.
We are the Labor Party. We stand for equality. Our platform should live up to our values.
I commend the amendment.