Labor Party Clings to Marriage Opposition

The numerically superior right faction of the Labor party in Australia is unlikely to change policy and support marriage equality despite calls from senior members.

According to the The Sydney Morning Herald, the resistance to changing policy stands despite marriage equality support expressed this weekend by two influential figures on the right, Senator Mark Arbib and union leader Paul Howes.

"A senior figure from the Right told the Herald yesterday that the faction held the same position as the Prime Minister, Julia Gillard," reports the newspaper. "'The official Right position is the Prime Minister's position, which is marriage is between a man and a woman,' he said. 'That's the position that she will be taking to the conference. We don't intend to change that policy.'"

Rather than a formal change in policy, Arbib and Howes believe their strongest chance of success rests with the national conference next year or in 2012, which could allow Labor MPs a conscience vote.

The Greens will introduce a marriage equality bill in Parliament next week, but it will not have the votes to pass.