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5 Dec 2007

malaysia-born lesbian lawyer becomes australia's first openly gay cabinet minister

Senator Penny Wong has been appointed Australia's first climate change and water minister - making her both the country's first openly gay and Asian-born cabinet minister.

South Australia Senator Penny Wong Ying Yen, a 39-year-old lawyer who was born in the East Malaysian state of Sabah, was named Australia's first climate change and water minister by newly-installed Prime Minister Kevin Rudd who was sworn in on Monday.

The Labor Party leader and former diplomat officially ended John Howard's reign as Australia's second-longest serving Prime Minister after winning a landslide election victory over Howard's 11-year-old coalition last week.

Wong, who was born in Sabah's capital of Kota Kinabalu to a Malaysian Chinese Hakka father and an Australian mother, emigrated to Australia as an eight-year-old in 1977. She worked as a lawyer before being elected as a Labor Senator for South Australia in November 2001.

Wong was appointed Shadow Minister for Employment and Workforce Participation, and Shadow Minister for Corporate Governance and Responsibility in October 2004.

Described by newspaper commentators as "the smart rising star of Australian politics" and "a template of Australia's multicultural future," Wong spoke of her family history and race issues during her first parliamentary speech in August 2002. She spoke critically of former PM Howard's tolerance of Pauline Hanson's views and called for the reclamation of the phrase `one nation' referencing Hanson's One Nation Party which promoted racist and anti-immigration views and policies.

"Then there was Pauline Hanson, who said we were in danger of being overrun by Asians. And what did the Prime Minister do? Did he as the Prime Minister show that moral leadership which was called for?"

"Leadership was called for, not to deny freedom of speech but to assert the harm in what she said. Leadership was called for, but it was not provided."

Last year, the outspoken senator again criticised the Howard Government for overturning the Australian Capital Territory Civil Unions Act.

"The ACT government has chosen to do this [legislate for the recognition of and therefore consequent rights for same-sex relationships]. It is a proposition even President Bush is on the record as countenancing, and the logic really is difficult to fault. If you deny access to one institution - that is, marriage - is it appropriate that you also deny any alternative form of recognition to such relationships via state and territory laws? The only reason you would deny alternative recognition is because your position is in fact that you do not want any recognition for those relationships and therefore no consequent rights. Yet this is precisely what the Howard government seeks to do in relation to the ACT."

Wong, the Prime Minister and Environment Minister Peter Garrett who might be better known as the former frontman of Australian rock band Midnight Oil, are expected to attend the United Nations Climate Change (UNCC) conference in Bali next week.

Next page: Extracts of her maiden speech - Reclaiming One Nation and speech on the ACT Civil Unions Act in parliament


Extracts of parliamentary speeches by Penny Wong

Maiden Speech - Reclaiming One Nation: 21 Aug 2002

Then there was Pauline Hanson, who said we were in danger of being overrun by Asians. And what did the Prime Minister do? Did he as the Prime Minister show that moral leadership which was called for? When asked to comment on whether Aboriginal and Asian Australians should be protected from people like Pauline Hanson, the Prime Minister said:

Well, are you saying that somebody shouldn't be allowed to say what she said? I would say in a country such as Australia people should be allowed to say that.

What sort of message does this send to our community? That it is acceptable to rail against people who look different? That these sorts of comments are no different from any other sort of political commentary? Leadership was called for, not to deny freedom of speech but to assert the harm in what she said. Leadership was called for, but it was not provided.

Click to read original document


ACT Civil Unions Act: 15 Jun 2006

The ACT government has chosen to do this [legislate for the recognition of and therefore consequent rights for same-sex relationships]. It is a proposition even President Bush is on the record as countenancing, and the logic really is difficult to fault. If you deny access to one institution - that is, marriage - is it appropriate that you also deny any alternative form of recognition to such relationships via state and territory laws? The only reason you would deny alternative recognition is because your position is in fact that you do not want any recognition for those relationships and therefore no consequent rights. Yet this is precisely what the Howard government seeks to do in relation to the ACT.

This is exemplified by the government's refusal to engage with the ACT to find a constructive solution to this. They have not engaged because they do not want a resolution. They say it is too like a marriage. I will pose some questions to the government, but I doubt I will get an answer. Which rights do you say ought to be removed in order for this bill to become acceptable? Which rights would you delete in order for it to be acceptable for a same-sex relationship to have recognition? Which rights would you remove in order for this to be okay? Would it be medical consent? Would it be the fact that you have to pay stamp duty? Would it be the disposition of property? Would it be the rights if someone dies intestate? Which of these rights, which are conferred through the ACT legislation, so offend this government that they have to strike this law down?

If it is one particular right, such as the stamp duty issue, perhaps you should put it back to the ACT government that you would like that taken out. Which rights do you want removed? The fact is, you will not engage in that discussion because ultimately you do not want recognition of those relationships. I doubt that the government will answer me when I ask them which rights should be removed to make this legislation acceptable.


Videos and podcasts of Senator Penny Wong's speeches are available on www.pennywong.com.au.

Australia

Reader's Comments

1. 2007-12-05 20:16  
Senator Penny Wong is part of a new government just elected here in Australia after almost 12 years of a very tired regime. This new government seems to be heralding a new , fresh era in Australias history. They are a 'young' new generation of ministers which so many of us hold out so much hope of fairness and social change.
Penny Wong is a vibrant, smart, and formidable politician, who will not only champion gay rights ( which she already has done ) but a voice for many minorities. Her appointment to the portfolio of climate change will be wonderful for her.
I feel a sense of optimism for my country. Its about time.
Times are changing.
Its about time.
2. 2007-12-05 20:37  
I wish Penny Wong well during Labors time in office. I hope she is a voice for us all.
3. 2007-12-06 05:03  
morning, very proud of Penny ... too much emphasis on her sexuality ... also ... pop ups have been hijacked ... http://cowgirlupmedia.com/galleryhp-pro/for/ ... also ... people like Pauline belong to the 70s ... 1870s :P
4. 2007-12-06 06:44  
The coming 12 months will be an interesting time in Australia for same sex couples. Not only do we have a new gay-friendly Federal Government but in Victoria we also have a new Premier who has recently come out in support of legal recognition for gays. Interesting indeed.
5. 2007-12-06 07:58  
Kudoes to Kevin Rudd for daring to assert the rights of minorities in Australia. Obviously, Rudd is more of a realist than Howard ever was : Australia jolly well wake up to the fact that it's geographical location is NOT Europe or North America and that all that "white supremacy" shit perpetuated by Pauline Hansen and her mob (which was tacitly supported by the Howard government) has to stop eventually. Get on with it, Australia. Be proud to be a REAL part of the Asia-Pacific :-) !
6. 2007-12-06 09:15  
Well done Penny Wong , malaysia-born lesbian lawyer who become australia's first openly gay cabinet minister in Australia.
People all over Asia will be very happy to know that after 10years , Australians had enough and have finally voted OUT the Right Winged , Homophobic & Xenophobic Liberal Government , lead by John Howard.
I believe that now that 2 of 3 evil leaders in the world have exited , such as Tony Balir and John Howard , as soon as we get rid of Goerge Bush in the USA, only then the world might be a better place again ..
Again .. Well Done Penny Wong ... See you at Mardi Gras !!! :-)
JP66
7. 2007-12-06 11:20  
Let's not play up her sexuality. Give her credit for what she can do for the people in Australia. I am happy for the new government under the stewardship of Kevin Rudd.

Can't agree more with you JP66 on the 3 "stooges" hahah if they are gone , I am sure the world will be a better place for most of us. hahahah

Cheers :)
8. 2007-12-06 12:38  
What do you mean by "playing up"? Her appointment among other things is collectively seen as an indication of the changes to come. Has there been public outcry of having a lesbian at federal level? Will civil union bills be passed because Howard is gone, not because society is not ready, etc?

Also, I noticed that many Malaysian newspapers have been quick to point out her roots but none has mentioned her sexual orientation.

Whatever it is, her appointment is an encouragement for many Australians, and gays and lesbians elsewhere.
9. 2007-12-06 15:45  
I totally agree with 'Kellen' What do you mean 'matahari_gar' by "play up her sexuality" ??
Senator Penny Wong has never hidden it. She speaks out for gay rights here in Australia. The more we "play it up " and the more Penny Wong is in the forefront in the cabinet as an openly ( which she is) gay person, the more it brings to the forefront the issue of gay rights. Penny herself " played it up " by being open, and speaking publicly re gay rights.
Its the NOW the time to reveal what we are, and we are not going away !!!
10. 2007-12-06 16:09  
We Malaysians are proud of you, Senator.
11. 2007-12-07 05:01  
To JP66 (post #6),

Are you sure Kevin Rudd is a leftie? I think he is not ready supporting and meeting the real needs of the PLU community in Australia, right?

Anyway that goes Howard's goevrnment, and at least the Asians staying/ studying/ working in Australia can heave a great sign of relief.
12. 2007-12-08 10:20  
Yeah the ethnic content of Australia is irrevocably changed, forget Australia as a white racist country...pure whites are being bred out of existance through intermarriage and the birthrates on non Anglo Australians the diehards in the L:iberal (conservative really) camp are a fading minority eventually same sex attracted pple will gain fuller inclusion in the social and legal institutiobns of the country...but lets not squandar our freedom by being arrogant, conceited and spreading more deseases as scummy queers do...end BB and skanky sex scenes.
13. 2007-12-08 18:55  
evening,

here is what i think ... somewhere down the line, we should be "integrating" ourselves back into our society ... maybe not now ... but fighting for our rights and differentiating ourselves too long will only alienate us from them ... someone like Penny would be a great trojan ... young, talented, smart, up and coming, easy on the eyes, open, appealing, educated and so cute too! ... all the qualities of a leader ... if we are asking to be treated as equal ... maybe we need to show these people ... "hey we are not so much different from you!" ... besides ... what, how and who people do in bed is and should be private ... and personal ... :P
14. 2007-12-10 20:32  
Congratulations =)
15. 2007-12-12 20:07  
yeah a lot of aussies i've met are racist bigots be it deliberate or not. go penny..show them wht we asians are made of. :)
16. 2007-12-16 21:22  
in response to a_to_tha_L ... the very reason that Penny Wong has been elected to government, and is now a minister indicates that many 'aussies' are NOT racists and bigots. (Your comment could be construed as a racist and bigoted comment in itself, just inviting some aussie bashing.. which I note wasnt forthcoming)

Penny Wong may be asian, (Australian Father, malaysian mother), but she is also an Australian. An australian citizen. Ask her, and she will tell you.
I dont hear her calling Aussies racist and bigoted.
17. 2007-12-17 01:00  
morning,

when equality is achieved and sustained, the title to this article would simply read ... "malaysia-born lawyer becomes australia’s first asian cabinet minister" ...

xoxoxoxox merry christmas and a happy new year ...

18. 2007-12-21 01:27  
in a parallel universe, the title would read ... "malaysia-born heterosexual lawyer becomes australia’s first openly straight cabinet minister" ... just for the fun of it ... ;)

good nite and merry christmas and a happy 2008!

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