Joe Ludwig

Human Services, Manager of Government Business in the Senate

Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender & Intersex Issues :

From Senator Ludwig’s speech (main speech for Labor) in the Senate on the Marriage Amendment Act, 13 August 2004 : Senator LUDWIG (Queensland) (2.03 p.m.) — . . . Extracts … “Let me recap on Labor’s major commitments. The recent focus solely on same-sex marriage, as covered by this bill, has largely ignored the extensive commitments Labor has made to ensure that loving and caring relationships within the same-sex community are acknowledged and respected. Labor is committed to pushing ahead with the reforms it prioritised in consultation with representatives of the gay and lesbian community well before this Howard government bill was even raised. Only Labor will immediately introduce antidiscrimination laws based on sexuality and introduce protection from harassment and vilification. Only a federal Labor government will deliver to same-sex couples equivalent status to heterosexual de facto couples, following an audit of all Commonwealth legislation similar to exercises already conducted by many state and territory governments. The purpose of the audit is to identify where, among the thousands of pieces of Commonwealth legislation, discrimination against same-sex couples exists. Labor will then amend legislation to remove discrimination against same-sex couples in all areas such as taxation, social security, superannuation and immigration.

JOE LUDWIG & KEVIN RUDD :

Don't forget 39 Labor MPs didn't want Kevin Rudd (27/11) Crikey.Com | Slicing through Labor's post-election euphoria is the stark fact that 39 of Prime Minister-elect Kevin Rudd's parliamentary colleagues voted against him for the leadership less than 12 months ago. They wanted to keep Kim Beazley in the job so that he could have a third crack at the prime ministership. In the caucus wash-up, Rudd received 49 votes to win by just 10. The anti-Ruddsters were: Wayne Swan, Stephen Smith, Anthony Albanese, Stephen Conroy, Martin Ferguson, Jenny Macklin, Tanya Plibersek, Penny Wong, Craig Emerson, Chris Evans, Carmen Lawrence, Dick Adams, Sharon Bird, Mark Bishop, Carol Brown, Anna Burke, George Campbell, Kate Ellis, Steve Georganas, Jennie George, Michael Hatton, Chris Hayes, John Hogg, Annette Hurley, Steve Hutchins, Julia Irwin, Duncan Kerr, Catherine King, Joe Ludwig, Anne McEwen, Daryl Melham, John Murphy, Kerry O'Brien, Helen Polley, Bernie Ripoll, Glenn Sterle, Kim Wilkie, Dana Wortley and Kim Beazley. Since then, some have made peace with Rudd and are assured of senior places in the first Cabinet to be announced at the end of this week eg. Treasurer Swan and Education and Training Minister Smith. Others have quit politics - Beazley and Carmen Lawrence http://www.crikey.com.au/Politics/20071127-Dont-forget-39-Labor-MPs-didnt-want-Kevin-Rudd.html

 

JOE LUDWIG & CHRISTIANITY :

Labor MPs refuse to be sworn in holding Bibles 13/2 Matthew Franklin for The Australian | ... the winds of change were freshening as a majority of Labor MPs refused to be sworn in holding Bibles, instead exercising their option to offer an affirmation of allegiance. Of the Labor frontbench, only Mr Rudd, Simon Crean, Martin Ferguson and Peter Garrett took the Bible in hand as they declared their allegiance to Queen Elizabeth II and her heirs and successors. In marked contrast, all members of the God-fearing Coalition front bench swore on the Bible, many supplying their own for the occasion. http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,25197,23205381-5013871,00.html