Disappointing vote in Gay Marriage Bill.

[Matilda]

The vote was 98-42 against the bill.

Very disappointing that intelligent people like Craig Emerson and Kevin Rudd voted against. Voting for were Greg Combet, Bill Shorten, Peter Garrett, Nicola Roxon, Jenny Macklin, Stephen Smith, Anthony Albanese, Jason Clare, Kate Ellis, Tanya Plibersek, and cross-benchers Craig Thomson, Rob Oakeshott, Adam Bandt, Andrew Wilkie.

Here's the list from the draft Hansard for those interested: http://twitpic.com/aw5625

[gemini_liberal]

1. Shame doesn't even begin to describe how I feel...

It was an extreme disappointment seeing so many ALP MPs who otherwise are pretty smart and rational vote the way they did. Most disappointing weren't the socially conservative ones, but rather the ones who don't actually have a problem with the issue, just are too scared of their voters and are worried about a bigot-bogan backlash. Don't get me wrong, my anger mostly goes to the Coalition. After all the grandstanding by wets about how much they are for marriage equality, not one of them did the right thing. Cowards.

As for Rudd, that one hurts a lot even more, as he apparently had been leading many a LGBTI rights activist into believing he was a friend of the issue and that supporting him would bring it about, by voting no, he was clearly lying. Not a surprise to me, I've always known he was a grub who would say whatever it takes to advance his own agenda, but a lot of people have been left feeling betrayed.

Also shame on our "leaders" for choosing the wrong side of this issue and putting themselves on the wrong side of history. Mostly just to preserve a few bigot votes. Thank you, you embarrassments.

However, to end on a more positive note, thank you to the 42 MHRs (which includes my own and all but 1 of the other ALP MHRs in my state) and the 26 Senators who voted for it, you have done your electors proud!

Hopefully my state MPs have a lot more sense and honour.