Topic for Richard

As you may know we have recently had elections and have a dead lock. At this time (counting isn't finished) it looks like 3 independants and one Green Party member will hold the balance of power. These people are now in talks with our two major parties seeing who will play ball with their agendas. The green party member is gay and wants a conscience vote for legalizing gay marriage and other gay legal issues, next of ken issues etc.

Will let you know.

Where is this, Marion?

Sorry Vicki, Australia

You folks down under are a most interesting lot. I have a few buddies there. Nice laid back guys with very un-UK and Un-USA takes on politics and civic affairs. Hard to explain ... but appear be rather laid back about huge conflicts between provincial takes on issues and rather more comfortable with a coalition Parliament than I would be. I describe what I observe without judgement. It may be a matter of USA news - I hear more UK politics than Australian politics and analysis - for that matter, I find it easier in the USA to get info on UK and France civic matters than I do for our closest allie and neighbor Canada. Weird

That said, I was gratified to learn that the province of Tasmania clearly voted to recognize as valid all marriages made outside Australia -- they will recognize the marriage equality couples of certain USA states, Mexico, Canada, etc throughout the world.

I wish you all well with your coalition government. Your last conservative PM was rather a jerk in the public positions I heard him take ... but again, news was spotty.

But your Olympic Gold Diver! I certainly DID follow his huge success ... especially the part where he stuggled to find any sponsors or endorsements - we can't have a gay hero as a corporate face, now can we? but he is such a nice guy and such a star athelete.

It's funny. Australia was the one country my Steve most desired to visit. Your Mardi Gras is definitely on my do before I die list! Plus what a pleasure it would be to lunch with you!

Good For Yall Down Under!

I was listening to the BBC World Report yesterday ... NPR for you Americanos. Not one word on Canada, Australia, or other Commanwealth Nations. LOTS on the Middle East ... Iran, Afghanistan, Palestine and Israel ... some on USA ... and lots on UK politics ... Blair vs Brown ... Blair vs Blair, etc.

BUT I was very pleased this morning to here of Australia in my normal morning check of lgbt news sites:

1. Congratulations to your New South Wales (Sidney's province) on voting in support of gay parents adoption rights. As a long ago and far away social worker, I am so happy when any needy child finds a home and loving family. Such homes are few and far between. Limiting the number of available families based on some outdated notion is counter productive to creating loving families ... for it really is love that makes a family.

2. Your fascinating Rev Fred Niles - leading anti-gay advocate MP and longest serving MP for NSW, got caught with his pants down. An audit of government computers found over 200,000 hits to porn sites on his set up. Sure, he says it was all in research. Yeah right. 200,000 hits on porn websites? That is way more "research" than the average teenage boy during his entire adolescence!

It never fails to amaze me when these anti-gay guys, who make their fortune and power bases on homophobia, get caught in sex scandals. USA and the UK have our fair share. Now the Australians add another name to that list of shame.

Straight men do not make homophobia their life's aim. Regular straight guys simply do not spend ANY time thinking about gay sex. But these homophobes spend hours concentrating on gays ... until they get caught. You would think they would see the writing on the wall and stop their antics.

People fascinate me.

I was interested to read TWO Australian stories this morning after hearing from you yesterday.

Fred Niles has never struck me as a very nice man, tis all very amusing how the mighty are fallen.

The Green Party agreed to go Labour, couldn't do much else really as the Liberals aren't sure if they believe in Global warming or the need for carbon reduction.... They did get agreement for a referendom over inclusion in the constitution of indeginous Australians, but not on gay marriage - at this stage.

One of the indepenants has also gone labour as they agreed to pull back on the use of poker (slot) machines - out of hand over here.

Whether a majority can be bought about it still up in the air, as three more independants get to choose which side they'll bat with.

Our two parties, like many other countries I suspect, have become very similar, very boring and very non-committal about future planning for population, natural resources etc.

A lot of people are hoping, like me, that this will give the whole political system a shake up and they will actually have to start planning for the country, not just fighting to see who gets in at the next election.