Former Prime Minister John Howard has called on the Turnbull government to release the legislation it will use to create marriage equality ahead of national postal survey.

Speaking to The Weekend Australian Howard said it would not be possible to change the marriage laws without their being wider implications for society.

The former PM said there needed to be protections for religion and freedom of speech and it was essential that people saw the legislation before indicating their thoughts on the issue.

“I respect the Yes campaign ­arguments, but this is not about a single right and there are conflicting rights,” Howard said.

In 2004 the Howard government changed Australia’s marriage act to make it clear that same-sex couples could not get married. The amendments to the legislation forced all marriage celebrants to read a statement at weddings declaring that marriage could only be between a man and a woman.

Howard said he would be voting No in the upcoming postal survey because he believed children fared better if they were raised by their biological mother and father.

OIP Staff