Labor leader Bill Shorten has divided the internet by parading a boy with two mums to make the case for gay marriage at a media conference.
The boy was joined by the Opposition Leader and senior Labor frontbenchers, including Tanya Plibersek, as he made a one-minute speech outside Parliament House in Canberra urging same-sex marriage supporters to fill out their postal ballots.
‘I feel like people aren’t going to vote. I feel like they are going to throw their ballot papers in the bin,’ he said.
‘I feel like people aren’t going to vote. I feel like they are going to throw their ballot papers in the bin,’ the boy said
‘People saying stuff about my family, saying that they’re not normal. They’re saying that they’re second rate. Don’t listen. Be yourself. Vote yes.’
The boy said he was just like other kids.
‘People who know my family know that there’s nothing wrong with us,’ he said.
‘We play soccer in the winter and we volunteer for the surf club in the summer.
‘I have two parents. They love me and they love each other.
‘All couples and all families deserve the same respect and value.’
‘People saying stuff about my family, saying that they’re not normal. They’re saying that they’re second rate. Don’t listen. Be yourself. Vote yes,’ he said
‘People who know my family know that there’s nothing wrong with us,’ he said outside Parliament House on Tuesday
The boy expressed frustration with parliament’s inability to have resolved the issue of redefining the Marriage Act.
‘Twelve months ago I came here. Nothing has changed. Marriage equality is still unresolved,’ he said.
However, the idea of a boy doing a media conference divided Mr Shorten’s Facebook followers, with a minority of comments criticising the Opposition Leader.
‘Using a child to campaign is disgusting. How low can you stoop!’ one woman said to Mr Shorten
‘You are a disgrace little Billy… shame on you manipulating a child for your political gains,’ one critic said to Mr Shorten
‘Using a child to campaign is disgusting. How low can you stoop,’ one woman said.
One man added: ‘You are a disgrace little Billy. Shame on you manipulating a child for your political gains.’
Conversely, one woman said the boy had done his parents proud.
‘Your parents would be very proud of you. I’m not surprised you want to stand up for your family. Well done,’ she said.
Conversely, one woman said the boy had done his parents proud, saying: ‘You tell them young man’