MS 8915 - Papers of Greg Weir
Volume Number 12: Gay and Lesbian Issues - Keith Wright (ALP State Opposition Leader ) 1984

Doc. No: 1 - 12
       Press Article 1984.06.01
       From: Media Sunday Mail 
       "Wright wants child sex laws toughened" (Newspaper uncertain)


Doc. No: 2 - 12
       Press Article 1984.05.24
       From: Media Sunday Sun 
       "Get-tough plea on child-sex animals" 


Doc. No: 3 - 12
       Press Article 1984.05.24
       From: Media Sunday Sun 
       "State Labor a threat to Hawke" 


Doc. No: 4 - 12
       Memo 1984.07.08
       From: Greg Weir 
       RE: Townsville conference of the ALP and moves against homosexual 
       policy. (draft only) "Before the State Conference of the Australian Labor 
       Party in Townsville there had been consistent rumours that the Leader 
       of the Opposition, Keith Wright intended to move a motion for the deletion 
       from the Policy of the Labor Party reference to gay law reform and other 
       relevant sections.

       On these rumours I took the opportunity to go to Townsville as the 
       administrative organiser for the Social Left faction. Molly Robson who 
       was then an adviser to Keith Wright said that see would talk to him and 
       ensure that their was not such move on policy.

       An additional worry was that the collective which was organising the 
       Tenth National Lesbian and Male Homosexual Conference were in process 
       of seeing if there would be a reversal a previous decision taken on the 
       holding of a workshop on paedophilia. I thought the Opposition Leader 
       had heard of this. Later events proved that this suspicion was quite 
       unfounded.


Doc. No: 4a - 12
       Press Article 1984.08.03
       From: Media Australian 
       "ABC to give gays 'equal rights" 


Doc. No: 4b - 12
       Press Article 1984.08.04
       From: Media Australian 
       "Gay' air stewards claim discrimination" 


Doc. No: 5 - 12
       Press Article 1984.08.04
       From: Media Australian 
       "ABC degenerate, says Sir Joh" 


Doc. No: 6 - 12
       Press Article 1984.08.04
       From: Media Daily Sun 
       "Premier lashes ABC gay benefits" 


Doc. No: 7 - 12
       Press Article 1984.08.07
       From: Media Sydney Morning Herald 
       "Ruling by the ABC test case for gays"


Doc. No: 8 - 12
       Transcript 1984.08.07
       From: Media ABC current affairs program 
       "The ABC's equal opportunity regulations allows for entitlement to 
       de facto and homosexual relationships" (NSW Law Reform Commissioner 
       and Dean of Sydney)


Doc. No: 9 - 12
       Press Article 1984.08.08
       From: Media Courier Mail 
       "ABC 'gay charter' slated by Senator" 


Doc. No: 10 - 12
       Press Article 1984.08.08
       From: Media Australian 
       "Dean slams ABC's gay benefits as 'absurd" (Date is not certain)


Doc. No: 10a - 12
       Press Article 1984.08.08
       From: Media Sydney Morning Herald 
       "The gays who must wait" 


Doc. No: 10b - 12
       Editorial 1984.08.08
       From: Media Sydney Morning Herald 
       "Gay rules at the ABC"


Doc. No: 10c - 12
       Press Article 1984.08.08
       From: Media Australian 
       "ABC 'gay' ruling hitch" 


Doc. No: 10d - 12
       Press Article 1984.08.09
       From: Media West Australian 
       "ABC de facto policy raises legal paradox.. Homosexuals working 
       for the ABC in WA could be breaking the law if they apply for de 
       facto spouse entitlements as proposed in the recent equal-opportunity 
       policy of the organisation..." 


Doc. No: 10e - 12
       Press Article 1984.08.09
       From: Media Courier Mail 
       "Law posers in ABC 'gay ' plan" 


Doc. No: 10f - 12
       Press Article 1984.08.09
       From: Media Sydney Morning Herald 
       "Employers get a warning on homosexuality" 


Doc. No: 10g - 12
       Media Release 1984.08.10
       From: Public Service Board 
       To: News Editors Media
       "Recognition of homosexual relationships in the conferring of employment 
       benefits... " Federal


Doc. No: 11 - 12
       Press Article 1984.08.10
       From: Media Courier Mail 
       "Gay' decision unhuman, says ABC director Bonner"


Doc. No: 12 - 12
       LETTER 1984.08.10
       From: Ferguson   
       To: Editor Daily Sun
       "Gay' an infuriating misnomer" 


Doc. No: 13 - 12
       Press Article 1984.08.10
       From: Media Courier Mail 
       "Not sure of 'gay' mayor" 


Doc. No: 13a - 12
       Memo 1984.08.10
       From: Greg Weir 
       Regarding enquiries from Wright's office on public statements and 
       advise received on proceedings against Wright.


Doc. No: 14 - 12
       Press Article 1984.08.11
       From: Media Queensland Times 
       "Gay rule unhuman - Bonner" 


Doc. No: 15 - 12
       Press Article 1984.08.11
       From: Media Courier Mail 
       "Gay' air stewards claim discrimination" Pg1


Doc. No: 16 - 12
       Press Article 1984.08.11
       From: Media Courier Mail 
       "Liberals to fight ABC on 'gays" 


Doc. No: 17 - 12
       Press Article 1984.08.11
       From: Media Townsville Bulletin 
       "MPs unite over ABC's 'gay' rule" 


Doc. No: 18 - 12
       Press Article 1984.08.11
       From: Media Townsville Bulletin 
       "ABC radio, TV to be split" 


Doc. No: 19 - 12
       Cartoon 1984.08.11
       From: Media Townsville Bulletin 
       "H'lo boyth... I'm thimon!" 


Doc. No: 20 - 12
       Press Article 1984.08.11
       From: Media Daily Sun 
       "Wright attacks ABC over gays" 


Doc. No: 21 - 12
       Press Article 1984.08.11
       From: Media Daily Sun 
       "Queer happenings at the ABC" 


Doc. No: 22 - 12
       Editorial 1984.08.11
       From: Media Courier Mail 
       "ABC lowers its standards" 


Doc. No: 23 - 12
       Press Article 1984.08.11
       From: Media The Chronicle 
       "ABC blasted over homosexual decision" 


Doc. No: 24 - 12
       Press Article 1984.08.11
       From: Media Courier Mail 
       "Bishops attack 'gay' ruling" 


Doc. No: 25 - 12
       Press Article 1984.08.11
       From: Media Telegraph 
       "Gay" perks condemned" 


Doc. No: 26 - 12
       Press Article 1984.08.12
       From: Media Sunday Sun 
       "NP claiming winners"


Doc. No: 27 - 12
       Press Article 1984.08.12
       From: Media Sunday Sun(?) 
       "Labor on the wrong road" 
 

Doc. No: 28 - 12
       Press Article 1984.08.12
       From: Media Sunday Mail 
       "Pretty, but are they really men?" 
   

Doc. No: 29 - 12
       Press Article 1984.08.12
       From: Media Sunday Sun 
       "Top ALP man backs gay rights" 


Doc. No: 30 - 12
       Press Article 1984.08.12
       From: Courier Mail 
       "ALP men at odds over gay sanctions" Queensland.


Doc. No: 30A - 12
       Letter 1984.08.13
       From: Chair Law Reform Commission (NSW) 
       To: Editor Sydney Morning Herald
       "Equal rights issue fraught with traps.."


Doc. No: 30A - 12
       Letter 1984.08.13
       From: Editor in Chief Campaign 
       To: Editor Sydney Morning Herald
       "Support lacking"


Doc. No: 30B - 12
       Press Article 1984.08.14
       From: Media Age 
       "Public Service Board won't accept gay partners" Federal


Doc. No: 30C - 12
       Press Article 1984.08.15
       From: Media Canberra Times 
       "Conflict in Public Service Board (PSB) on homosexual benefits" 
       Federal.


Doc. No: 31 - 12
       Press Article 1984.08.16
       From: Media Telegraph 
       "What's wrong with Keith Wright? - The style but not the substance"


Doc. No: 32 - 12
       Letter 1984.08.17
       From: W. Hetherington 
       To: Editor Daily Sun
       "Look to old standards"
 

Doc. No: 32A - 12
       Press Article 1984.08.18
       From: Media Courier Mail 
       "ABC board silent on 'gay' vote" 


Doc. No: 33 - 12
       Letter and enclosure 1984.08.18
       From: Secretary ALP Brisbane F.D.E. 
       To: Senator Georges 
       Motion condemning Wright


Doc. No: 34 - 12
       Drafting Notes 1984.08.18
       From: Greg Weir 
       To: Sec ALP Brisbane FDE
       Motion for consideration at Brisbane FDE Re: ABC policy and Wright


Doc. No: 35 - 12
       Letter 1984.08.20
       From: Greg Weir 
       To: Peter Beattie ALP Secretary
       A formal application to the secretary of the Labor Party requesting that 
       disciplinary action be taken against Keith Wright for breaching the rules 
       of the ALP.


Doc. No: 36 - 12
       Notes 1984.08.20
       From: Greg Weir 
       Initial drafting of letter to State Secretary of the ALP


Doc. No: 37 - 12
       Memo 1984.08.20
       From: Greg Weir 
       To: 
       RE: Tactical nature of the complaint to the Tribunal (Draft only)
       Keith Wright had a long history of anti-homosexual statements. 
       His statements over the ABC policy for gay and lesbian de facto couples 
       were made on the eve of the 10th National Lesbian and Homosexual 
       Conference. It seemed from the high media and political interest in the 
       ABC policy that the conference would even attract even greater controversy 
       and attack. To at least keep the Labor opposition in check it seemed necessary 
       to lay a charge against Wright. The machine of the party was greatly respected 
       after the Federal intervention in the late seventies. The parliamentary wing 
       would not want to come out and attack homosexuals and lesbians if the Disputes 
       Tribunal established such statements were contrary the party policy. It seemed 
       to have worked in the following few weeks.


Doc. No: 37A - 12
       Letters 1984.08.22
       From: Correspondents 
       To: Editor Australian
       "For and against gay rights" Nine letters to the editor.


Doc. No: 38 - 12
       Hansard 1984.08.22
       From: Innes MLA Parliament 
       "Social Standards


Doc. No: 39 - 12
       Telephone memo 1984.08.22
       To: Greg Weir Parliament House ACT
       Request to ring Peter Beattie
 

Doc. No: 40 - 12
       Letter 1984.08.22
       From: Peter Beattie Sec. ALP 
       To: Greg Weir 
       Receipt of complaint and a p.s. to ring him


Doc. No: 41 - 12
       Memo 1984.08.22
       From: Greg Weir 
       Re: Telephone call from Peter Beattie, State Secretary of the Australian 
       Labor Party. Draft only - When I finally got onto Peter Beattie he said that 
       he tried to talk me out of taking the action. It seemed that I was overstepping 
       my position as an ordinary member of the party, by taking the leader of the 
       Queensland parliamentary wing to the disputes tribunal. He did seem 
       sympathetic to the cause though.

       I said that I would think about it and ring him back with a final decision when 
       I got back to Brisbane from Canberra. I still thought that this action was necessary. 
       Over the weekend however the information had appeared in the press it could 
       not be withdrawn


Doc. No: 41a - 12
       Press Article 1984.08.23
       From: Media Courier Mail 
       "Innes attacks social changes" Queensland Liberal Parliamentary Leader.


Doc. No: 42 - 12
       Press Article 1984.08.26
       From: Media Sunday Mail 
       "Wright faces row on 'gay' comment" 


Doc. No: 43 - 12
       Letter and Enclosure. 1984.08.30
       From: Roger Sawkins Religious Society of Friends 
       To: Greg Weir 
       Information on Law reform and personal post script


Doc. No: 44 - 12
       Letter 1984.08.30
       From: Managing Director ABC 
       Outline of policy ABC


Doc. No: 45 - 12
       Questions 1984.09.04
       From: Harridine B, Senator Senate Estimates Com. A 
       To: Whitehead ABC Manager
       ABC policy


Doc. No: 46 - 12
       Hansard 1984.09.12
       From: Groom R, MP 
       To: Parliament 
       Speech on Appropriation Bill (No.1) 


Doc. No: 47 - 12
       Hansard 1984.09.12
       From: Duffy MJ, MP Minister for Communication 
       To: Parliament Federal
       Appropriation Bill


Doc. No: 48 - 12
       Press Article 1984.09.13
       From: Media Australian 
       "No' to Texan gay's cows - and piano" Duffy
 

Doc. No: 49 - 12
       Press Article 1984.09.13
       From: Media Courier Mail 
       "Gay Tex will have to leave cows, piano"


Doc. No: 50 - 12
       Memo 1984.09.11
       From: Greg Weir 
       The hearing of the Disputes Tribunal. (not contained in the archive 
       collection)


Doc. No: 51 - 12
       Disciplinary decision 1984.09.11
       From: Disputes Tribunal ALP 
       Ruling by the Tribunal - Complaint in party upheld as infringing party 
       policy (Pg7). (Approximate date)


Doc. No: 52 - 12
       Press Article 1984.09.18
       From: Media Townsville Bulletin 
       "Wright confident of selection" 


Doc. No: 53 - 12
       Memo 1984.09.20
       From: Greg Weir 
       Conversation with Peter Beattie over Wright's comments following 
       Dispute Tribunal's decision


Doc. No: 54 - 12
       Press Article 1984.09.23
       From: Media Sunday Sun 
       "ALP rap for Wright on gays" 


Doc. No: 55 - 12
       Press Article 1984.09.23
       From: Media Sunday Mail 
       "Was Wright wrong on gay gibe" 


Doc. No: 56 - 12
       Letter to the Editor 1984.09.26
       From: G Williams 
       To: Editor Courier Mail
       Shock and outrage over Tribunal decision 


Doc. No: 57 - 12
       Press Article 1984.09.30
       From: Media Sunday Mail 
       "Conscience vote' says unrepentant Wright"


Doc. No: 57A - 12
       Press Article 1984.09.30
       From: Media Australian 
       "ABC finds most people reject gay partner benefits"


Doc. No: 58 - 12
       Letter 1984.10.03
       From: Greg Weir 
       To: Peter Beattie ALP
       More charges but not pursued


Doc. No: 59 - 12
       Letter 1984.10.09
       From: Weir, Leslie, Charter and Bartos National Gay Lobby 
       To: ALP Members and Senators 
       Regarding record of soon to be a member of Federal Parliament 
       Keith Wright


Doc. No: 59A - 12
       Press Article 1984.11.05
       From: Media Advertiser (SA) 
       "Homosexual benefits opposed, says poll."


Doc. No: 60 - 12
       Parliamentary Hansards Appendix 1
       Debates in relation to ABC policies 


Doc. No: 61 - 12
       Rules Appendix 2
       From: ALP Disputes Tribunal 
       Operation and nature of the disputes Tribunal.


Doc. No: 62 - 12
       Press Article 1984.10.17
       From: Media Courier Mail 
       "Muntz supports bishop's stand" (date not certain)


Doc. No: 63 - 12
       Press Article 1992.12.01
       From: Media Courier Mail 
       "ALP to drop Wright over molesting case" Pg1
Return to MS 8915 or Manuscript Finding Aids
Guide prepared November 1996. Last updated 18 December 1996.