Nasty debate 'un-Australian': McClelland

6 Oct 2012, 5:42 pm   -   Source: AAP
Robert McClelland says a

Robert McClelland says a "rapid deterioration" in the quality of political debate is un-Australian. (AAP)

Former Labor frontbencher Robert McClelland has decried a "rapid deteroriation" in the quality of political debate as un-Australian.

Dumped Labor minister Robert McClelland has taken a swipe at the prime minister's advisers and decried a "rapid deterioration" in the quality of political debate as "un-Australian".

Mr McClelland, a former attorney-general, addressed the national conference of the Australian Christian Lobby (ACL) in Canberra on Saturday following Prime Minister Julia Gillard's decision not to attend.

Ms Gillard last month withdrew her participation because of what she described as an "offensive" comment by ACL head Jim Wallace that smoking is healthier than same-sex lifestyles.

Mr McClelland defended the work of the ACL and Mr Wallace, describing him as a "fair-minded man".

"There can be dramatisation of issues which in themselves become divisive," he said.

During his speech Mr McClelland lamented the "rapid deterioration in the quality of political debate".

"I have found the personal vilification that has come into parliamentary debate and public debate to be more than unseemly," he said.

"It is un-Australian."

Mr McClelland said people should "play the ball and not the man".

"I might say to some of those (political) advisers who draft what they regard as very clever lines that it is entirely counterproductive and politically naive," he said.

Mr McClelland said pot shots were easy but politicians' actions counted more.

"You can always get a line by vilifying someone, abusing someone, attacking an organisation but at the end of the day you're going to be judged on what you've achieved," he said.

"In terms of those who have been advising the prime minister or others, they need to look at that."

Mr McClelland said the advisers and leaders who "recognise that decency of character and the way that is communicated is of fundamental importance to the Australian people, is going to leap ahead in strides".

Outside the conference at the Hyatt Hotel, about 20 campaigners for marriage equality protested with banners and chanted "hey hey ho ho these homophobes have got to go".

Mr McClelland said the protesters would not have recognised that the ACL had supported amendments to 84 pieces of commonwealth legislation that removed discrimination against same-sex couples.

He also spoke about a government review on moves to consolidate anti-discrimination laws which he initiated as attorney-general.

Mr McClelland said it was likely nothing would happen in the next 12 months because the issue could be "electorally traumatic".

Earlier on Saturday, opposition families spokesman Kevin Andrews addressed the conference, revealing that had the coalition granted its MPs a conscience vote in the gay-marriage debate as did Labor, it would have made no difference to the outcome.

"(We) counted the numbers ... The reality is it would not have made much difference whatsoever to the numbers," Mr Andrews said.

"There would have been half a dozen people ... who would have voted the other way."

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