HEGGEN: Senator Wong, thank you so much for your time this afternoon.
WONG: Good to be with you again.
HEGGEN: You must be quite disappointed that the Bill was overwhelmingly defeated this afternoon.
WONG: I think many people in the community who want marriage equality will be disappointed, but the unfortunate reality is that as soon as Tony Abbott made clear he wasnt going to grant a free vote on the issue, the mathematics were pretty inevitable. But I do think weve seen progress since this Bill has been in the Parliament weve seen more people from my side of politics change their position and come over to the side of marriage equality. And I think on this issue the Parliament is actually behind the community.
HEGGEN: What do you make of your Leader, Prime Minister Julia Gillard, sitting next to Tony Abbott on this in terms of not agreeing with the Bill?
WONG: On this issue the Prime Minister and I have a different view. I support marriage equality and she has obviously made her position on this clear.
HEGGEN: Now lets get to Senator Cory Bernardis abhorrent comments. I was trying to think this morning I cant remember a lower point in terms of federal debate and I use the word debate loosely. What are your thoughts on what he said in the Senate last night?
WONG: I made some comments in my speech today in the Senate on marriage equality, that unfortunately there have been some very unhelpful contributions to this debate, some contributions which frankly demonstrated a real prejudice towards gay and lesbian Australians and that those views really have no place in modern Australia. I think theyre views that are out of step with where most Australians hearts and minds are.
HEGGEN: Thats quite a measured response though, you must have been angry when you heard it.
WONG: I wasnt jumping for joy, shall I say ...
HEGGEN: (laughs)
WONG: Ive learnt in this job that you will hear people say offensive things. I tried to respond today very clearly saying these are not views that are shared by most Australians. I think more important than whether Im offended is the message it sends out to young Australians and my message to gay and lesbian Australians who are young, who might be finding their way still, is that these views do not represent where our country is, nor where it is going. And people shouldnt take them on.
HEGGEN: I was listening via Sky News today to your debate this morning and I was really struck by the point in the argument where you say we are your daughters, your sons. Can you recount to my listeners that passage from todays speech?
WONG: Well, I said, look, were here. We are your daughters and your sons and your friends and your colleagues. And the fact that we are in all aspects of Australian society is probably the primary reason why sentiment is shifting on this. Most people know someone who is gay. Most people have someone in their family or their friendship circle and people are touched by personal stories. And ultimately thats why I think we will succeed in attaining equality, because those personal relationships and the worth of those relationships is far more important than any outdated view.
HEGGEN: So, Senator Wong, where do we go from this point in terms of getting same sex marriages up?
WONG: I think what we need to do is continue the campaign. We obviously have the states looking at these issues. We need to try and get support in those states which are looking at changing their definition of marriage. But ultimately what I would like to see is, eventually, the Liberal Party agree to a free vote and I would like a day when I can sit on the same side of the chamber as people from the Liberal Party and the Australian Greens who support equality. I think that would be a good day for the country.
HEGGEN: Thank you so much for your time today.
WONG: Good to speak with you.
ENDS