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| Labor MP creates second how-to-vote card 'to avoid upsetting Jewish voters' | Labor MP creates second how-to-vote card 'to avoid upsetting Jewish voters' |
| (21 days later) | |
| Labor MP Michael Danby has become embroiled in a spat over voting preferences after downgrading the Sex party from first preference position on his how-to-vote cards to avoid offending Orthodox Jews. Danby, MP for Melbourne Ports since 1998, created two different how-to-vote cards, with one specifically aimed at Orthodox Jewish voters. Campaign literature seen by Guardian Australia places Melissa Star, the Sex party candidate, in the top preference slot, ahead of Steven Armstrong of the Stable Population party and Margaret Quinn of the Rise Up Australia party. A second how-to-vote card, distributed at pre-polling booths, relegates Star to ninth position, switching places with Family First's Robert Keenan, who is pushed up to first preference position. Danby, who holds Melbourne Ports with a comfortable 7.9% margin, told Guardian Australia that the move was designed to avoid upsetting Orthodox Jews. | Labor MP Michael Danby has become embroiled in a spat over voting preferences after downgrading the Sex party from first preference position on his how-to-vote cards to avoid offending Orthodox Jews. Danby, MP for Melbourne Ports since 1998, created two different how-to-vote cards, with one specifically aimed at Orthodox Jewish voters. Campaign literature seen by Guardian Australia places Melissa Star, the Sex party candidate, in the top preference slot, ahead of Steven Armstrong of the Stable Population party and Margaret Quinn of the Rise Up Australia party. A second how-to-vote card, distributed at pre-polling booths, relegates Star to ninth position, switching places with Family First's Robert Keenan, who is pushed up to first preference position. Danby, who holds Melbourne Ports with a comfortable 7.9% margin, told Guardian Australia that the move was designed to avoid upsetting Orthodox Jews. |
| "Both of our how-to-votes were approved by the ALP administrative committee," Danby said. "People can put their preferences however they like. Our second version, which is purely symbolic as it will never be distributed, does not give the second preference to the Sex party as we thought we would respect a minority group, the Orthodox Jewish supporters, who would not like to preference the Sex party at number two but want to fill out a valid vote." | "Both of our how-to-votes were approved by the ALP administrative committee," Danby said. "People can put their preferences however they like. Our second version, which is purely symbolic as it will never be distributed, does not give the second preference to the Sex party as we thought we would respect a minority group, the Orthodox Jewish supporters, who would not like to preference the Sex party at number two but want to fill out a valid vote." |
| Melbourne Ports encompasses the bayside of inner Melbourne, from Southbank to St Kilda. It also covers the suburbs of Balaclava and Caulfield, which both have substantial Jewish communities. Jewish people make up 12.8% of the electorate's population – the largest Jewish representation of any seat in Australia. Although Danby is highly likely to retain the seat, holding off a challenge from the Greens' Ann Birrell, the decision to move Family First to the first preference spot has caused consternation among some Jewish voters. Alex Fein, editor of Jewish news site Galus Australis, which first noted the switched preferences, said she found the move "offensive". "What does Michael Danby think of Jewish people that he thinks we'd be happier with a party like Family First?" she said. "I find it offensive. You'd have to work on the assumption that all Orthodox Jews are prejudiced and closed-minded if you think Family First would appeal to them." Fein, an Orthodox Jew who is married to Caulfield rabbi Yaron Gottlieb, added: "I absolutely hate Family First and so would other Jews who are socially liberal. The Orthodox Jewish community is incredibly diverse. "There may be some elements that would have a problem with the Sex party and as a feminist I'm not thrilled by them, but I'm even less thrilled by Family First, given their positions on gay marriage, Indigenous issues and social conservatism." | Melbourne Ports encompasses the bayside of inner Melbourne, from Southbank to St Kilda. It also covers the suburbs of Balaclava and Caulfield, which both have substantial Jewish communities. Jewish people make up 12.8% of the electorate's population – the largest Jewish representation of any seat in Australia. Although Danby is highly likely to retain the seat, holding off a challenge from the Greens' Ann Birrell, the decision to move Family First to the first preference spot has caused consternation among some Jewish voters. Alex Fein, editor of Jewish news site Galus Australis, which first noted the switched preferences, said she found the move "offensive". "What does Michael Danby think of Jewish people that he thinks we'd be happier with a party like Family First?" she said. "I find it offensive. You'd have to work on the assumption that all Orthodox Jews are prejudiced and closed-minded if you think Family First would appeal to them." Fein, an Orthodox Jew who is married to Caulfield rabbi Yaron Gottlieb, added: "I absolutely hate Family First and so would other Jews who are socially liberal. The Orthodox Jewish community is incredibly diverse. "There may be some elements that would have a problem with the Sex party and as a feminist I'm not thrilled by them, but I'm even less thrilled by Family First, given their positions on gay marriage, Indigenous issues and social conservatism." |
| Family First are opposed to same-sex marriage and abortion and want tougher regulation around pornography and drugs. | Family First are opposed to same-sex marriage and abortion and want tougher regulation around pornography and drugs. |
| The Sex party supports same-sex marriage, the decriminalisation of all drugs for personal use and a relaxation of censorship. Fein said that Danby's campaign literature in Caulfield focused on his local achievements for the Jewish community. However, she said that there was "a lot of disquiet" in the Jewish community over Labor's treatment of asylum seekers. Danby has been a vocal supporter of Israel within Labor and recently took out a full-page election ad in the Australian Jewish News to criticise foreign minister Bob Carr for saying "all settlements on Palestinian land are illegal under international law and should cease". Other Melbourne Ports candidates have also courted controversy, with the Sex party's Star forced to apologise for comments made about a marriage equality activist. | The Sex party supports same-sex marriage, the decriminalisation of all drugs for personal use and a relaxation of censorship. Fein said that Danby's campaign literature in Caulfield focused on his local achievements for the Jewish community. However, she said that there was "a lot of disquiet" in the Jewish community over Labor's treatment of asylum seekers. Danby has been a vocal supporter of Israel within Labor and recently took out a full-page election ad in the Australian Jewish News to criticise foreign minister Bob Carr for saying "all settlements on Palestinian land are illegal under international law and should cease". Other Melbourne Ports candidates have also courted controversy, with the Sex party's Star forced to apologise for comments made about a marriage equality activist. |
| Meanwhile, Kevin Ekendahl, the Liberal candidate, has given Family First and the DLP his first two preferences, despite the two parties being staunchly against marriage equality. Ekendahl is openly gay and has said he will champion the cause of same-sex marriage within the Liberal party. | Meanwhile, Kevin Ekendahl, the Liberal candidate, has given Family First and the DLP his first two preferences, despite the two parties being staunchly against marriage equality. Ekendahl is openly gay and has said he will champion the cause of same-sex marriage within the Liberal party. |
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