Julia Gillard
hit by gay marriage rebellion
Julia Gillard is facing a backbench backlash over gay marriage and legal
euthanasia. Source: Getty
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JULIA Gillard
is facing a backbench rebellion over fears the government would support a
Greens Bill that could enable gay marriage and legal euthanasia.
Three
senior MPs - Steve Hutchins, Don Farrell and John Hogg - confronted the Prime
Minister yesterday to express concerns about the Greens' Bill.
Greens leader Bob Brown said his proposed law would make an
Act of Parliament necessary for the Commonwealth to override legislation in the
Northern Territory or the ACT. It would abolish ministerial vetoes.
The Herald Sun has been told the delegation, led
by Mr Farrell, the so-called "Godfather" of the Labor Right, met Ms
Gillard at 11.30am after the Greens claimed to have secured government support
for the private member's Bill.
It is believed the PM said she had no knowledge of it and
she would not back legal euthanasia.
Treasurer Wayne Swan also told them he had no knowledge of
the issue.
Angry Labor MPs yesterday said the issue had brought to a
head amid growing concerns the Greens had too much influence on Government
policy.
"I just hope this is not a harbinger of what life will
be like after July 1, when the Greens have control of the Senate," one
concerned senior Labor MP said.
MPs also have privately criticised the PM's decision to
introduce a carbon tax without consulting the full Labor caucus.
Labor figures, particularly in outer city electorates, have
been fielding "virulent" emails and phone calls from voters
complaining of a "sellout" to the Greens.
"People are really angry - they feel they've been
deceived," a senior Labor MP said.
"It's adding to a growing view out there that Labor is dominated by the
Greens."
Labor MPs have also confessed to being "savaged"
by irate voters over the carbon tax.
Some said their offices had received abusive phone calls
from people fearful over the impact of a carbon tax on family living costs.
"One was pretty vicious," a Sydney MP said.