weak on rights

I do not often agree with the Man of Steel. But there's always a first time.

John Howard on the 7:30 Report

They will always remember that and they will always remember the Government was strong on border protection and the Labor Party was weak.

Sadly, this is true. Labor's weakness in defending human rights alienated many of its supporters and drove them to vote for minor parties. There is a real issue in border protection, but it can't be exploited unless Labor does something unprecedented - admit a mistake and announce a new policy. Labor's recent performance over rights issues, not just gay marriage but also the treatment of foreign gay marriages and the children of those marriages, suggests it's not going to happen any time soon. The growing minor party vote should perhaps encourage them to change their mind.