Fourteen of Australia’s leading religious leaders have co-signed a letter urging politicians to insert significant amendments in the marriage bill.

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Last week conservative MPs attempted to add additional clauses into Senator Dean Smith’s private members bill for marriage, arguing that widespread protections are needed for freedom of speech, conscience and religion.

Despite many amendments being put forward, all were voted down and the bill passed in its original form. Now church leaders are reaching out to MPs in the House of Representatives  begging them to make changes to the proposed law that will pave the way for same sex couples to wed.

However with Labor and The Greens committed to passing the bill without any changes, the only hope for the religious leaders is to persuade Liberal and National MPs, and independents, to support the proposed changes.

Discussion on the bill is expected to dominate parliamentary discussion over the coming week. Debate on the bill will begin in the lower house on Monday morning.

The Australian Christian Lobby, one of the leading organisations against allowing marriage equality, has accused the LGBTIQ community of “crushing all dissent”, saying the campaign had been “dishonest”.

Lyle Shelton, head of the Australian  Christian Lobby, took to Twitter to express his shock that Liberal Senators had voted with Labor and The Greens. Shelton said he still held hopes that Liberal MPs in the House of Representatives would be more supportive.

OIP Staff