ALR383 Government Relations and Issue
ALR383 – Government Relations and Issues Management
Essay – Same-sex marriage
Sam Stacker
211307837
As society has revolutionized and with democratic ideology denominating has the western world, liberation and equality campaigns stemming from “third sector” (Keane 1998) lobbying groups, stand as a key component to the operation a “civil society”(Keane 1998). Carrying an objective to influence legislators or regulatory agencies, these political advocacy groups play a critical role in the operation of a healthy liberal democracy. In contemporary society, the notion of Same-sex marriage has polarized public opinion worldwide and is recognized as one of the most controversial non-economic issues to ever confront the Australian parliament. The contentious issue provides a modern 21st century example of “civil-governmental cooperation” (Keane 1998), comparable to 1960 libertarian movements against racism and sexism. Ones right to the institution of marriage is the key distinction between the treatment of heterosexual and same-sex relationships in Australia, and forms the foundations upon which the highly contentious issue is contested. ‘Australian Marriage Equality’ is an activism group partnered with a myriad of pro same-sex marriage organizations around Australia, who collectively fight to end the evident disparity in entitlements between heterosexual couples and same-sex partners. Founded in 2004, the lobbying group was established preceding the Federal Parliament’s amending of the ‘Marriage Act 1961’, which ultimately prohibited lawful recognition of same-sex partners. Opposing the concept of Same-sex marriage is the politically active ‘Australian Christian Lobby’. Publicly condemning the notion of same-sex marriage in the public sphere, the influential group raises moral and religious concerns and assertively promotes the damaging social consequences associated with the potential legalization of same-sex marriage. Both these well-established lobbying
Essay – Same-sex marriage
Sam Stacker
211307837
As society has revolutionized and with democratic ideology denominating has the western world, liberation and equality campaigns stemming from “third sector” (Keane 1998) lobbying groups, stand as a key component to the operation a “civil society”(Keane 1998). Carrying an objective to influence legislators or regulatory agencies, these political advocacy groups play a critical role in the operation of a healthy liberal democracy. In contemporary society, the notion of Same-sex marriage has polarized public opinion worldwide and is recognized as one of the most controversial non-economic issues to ever confront the Australian parliament. The contentious issue provides a modern 21st century example of “civil-governmental cooperation” (Keane 1998), comparable to 1960 libertarian movements against racism and sexism. Ones right to the institution of marriage is the key distinction between the treatment of heterosexual and same-sex relationships in Australia, and forms the foundations upon which the highly contentious issue is contested. ‘Australian Marriage Equality’ is an activism group partnered with a myriad of pro same-sex marriage organizations around Australia, who collectively fight to end the evident disparity in entitlements between heterosexual couples and same-sex partners. Founded in 2004, the lobbying group was established preceding the Federal Parliament’s amending of the ‘Marriage Act 1961’, which ultimately prohibited lawful recognition of same-sex partners. Opposing the concept of Same-sex marriage is the politically active ‘Australian Christian Lobby’. Publicly condemning the notion of same-sex marriage in the public sphere, the influential group raises moral and religious concerns and assertively promotes the damaging social consequences associated with the potential legalization of same-sex marriage. Both these well-established lobbying
References: Keane, J 1998. Civil society: old images, new visions. Cambridge, UK: Polity Press. Mackey, S 2012, 'Public Affairs and Civil Society ', The Influence Seekers, Australian Scholarly Publishing Australian Christian Lobby 2013, ‘The ACL Vision, Australian Christian Lobby’, retrieved 27 April 2014, <http://www.acl.org.au/about/> Australian Christian Lobby 2012, ‘Submission to the Legal and Constitutional Affairs Legislation Committee Concerning the Marriage Equality Amendment Bill’ 2010, Australian Christian Lobby, retrieved 27th April 2014, < http://www.acl.org.au/> Dunkin, A 2012, ‘ACL ENTERS SA MARRIAGE DEBATE’, GAY NEWS NETWORK, 14 November, retrieved 27 April 2014, <http://gaynewsnetwork.com.au/news/acl-enters-sa-marriage-debate-9511.html> Wilson L, 2013,’High Court strikes down ACT gay marriage law’, The Australian, 12 December, retrieved 28 April 2014, <http://www.theaustralian.com.au/national-affairs/high-court-strikes-down-act-gay-marriage-law/story-fn59niix-1226781474406> Australian Marriage Equality 2012,’Marriage equality and public opinion’, Australian Marriage Equality, retrieved 28 April 2014, http://www.australianmarriageequality.org/wp-content/uploads/2010/12/Full-Galaxy-Poll-Results-2010.pdf> Habermas J, 1991,The structural transformation of the public sphere: an inquiry into a category of bourgeois society. Cambridge, MIT Press, retrieved 29 April 2014, < http://books.google.com.au/books?id=e799caakIWoC&printsec=frontcover&source=gbs_ge_summary_r&cad=0#v=onepage&q&f=false> Habermas J, 1984, The theory of communicative action. Boston: Beacon Press, retrieved 1 April 2014, < http://books.google.com.au/books/The_Theory_of_Communicative_Action_Reaso.html?id=kuFhjNZuHTAC&redir_esc=y> Bernays, E. 1928, Propaganda, New York: Liveright.