Questions over agenda of Family First’s local launch

Two of the locals who have expressed fears over the local launch of Family First are Brendan, right, of Wollongong and Steen.

THE rights of same-sex couples have been placed firmly on the local agenda in recent weeks, with two political parties from opposite sides of the ideological fence hitting the Illawarra campaign trail.

The controversial Family First party recently launched their candidate for the Cunningham electorate in the form of ex-journalist Jemma Tribe.

The party have long been criticised for their traditional views and refusal to support the cause of providing same-sex partnerships with legal recognition.

Ms Tribe said the party was focussed on a particular ideal for the family unit.

“Our focus is the wellbeing of families and the idea that a strong nation is built on families,” Ms Tribe said, adding that she did not think that same-sex couples represented the best environment in which to raise a child.

A number of people have expressed their concerns about the party's launch to the Wollongong and Northern Leader, including Steen, artistic director of the Phoenix Theatre.

The 43-year-old said Family First represented a threat to tolerance and harmony.

“I feel the spread to the Illawarra of such an ultra conservative group such as this is a worry as the strength of Australian culture is its diversity,” Steen said.

“The damage a group like Family First could cause is significant.

“They provide a focus point for people who are already homophobic but may not act on their thoughts or vocalise them because they see that it is not acceptable in our society to separate out individuals who are different.

“By being a focal point they give the excuse that if a political party believes it then it must be ok to vilify others based on their sexuality, almost a state sanctioned hatred.

“I don't want to draw too much on what might seem like an extreme parallel but when they first formed the national socialist party in Germany provided a focal point for anti Jewish feelings (and) their platform was also the family.”

Steen said the Family First view that same-sex couples could not provide the best possible environment for a child was outrageous.

“I have close friends who are the children of same sex couples and they are the happiest well adjusted and accepting people I know,” he said.

Toni McLennan, NSW Senate Candidate for the Hear Our Voice party was also in the Illawarra in recent weeks, and took the opportunity to say that her party openly condemned the Family First view that same-sex pairings should not be legally recognised.

“Family First is preaching intolerance and discrimination and it is these types of views, and a lack of understanding, that prevent equality under the law for gay and lesbian people,” she said.

Marcus O'Donnell, a Thirroul resident believes Family First often hide behind a smokescreen of good intentions. O'Donnell, the former editor of Sydney Gay and Lesbian newspaper Sydney Star Observer who now lectures in journalism at the University of Wollongong, is particularly worried by any possible unspoken religious affiliations.

“If you read their policy documents they stand for everything good under the sun but if you read a little closer it's clear that this is just the religious right in a new guise,” he said.

Ms Tribe denied the party has religious affiliations.

“We are not a religious party,” Ms Tribe said.