Premium Content:

Church leaders launch last ditch attempt to influence marriage bill

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

- Advertisement -

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


Support OUTinPerth

Thanks for reading OUTinPerth. We can only create LGBTIQA+ focused media with your help.

If you can help support our work, please consider assisting us through a one-off contribution to our GoFundMe campaign, or a regular contribution through our Patreon appeal.

Become a Supporter→     Make a contribution→ 

Latest

On This Gay Day | Remembering Marsha P. Johnson

LGBTQIA+ rights pioneer Marsha P Johnson passed away on this day in 1992.

UK Reform leader Nigel Farage says gay marriage is “wrong”

Farage says the issue is now settled, but restated he's never been a supporter of same-sex couples being allowed to marry.

Barn Dance is heading to a Gold Rush

Tickets to Perth's big night of boot scooting and bandanas are now on sale.

Now You Know: Five quick news stories

A gay classic turned into a ballet, a country music star, arrests in China, a new leader for Mardi Gras, and coming out in the AFL.

Newsletter

Don't miss

On This Gay Day | Remembering Marsha P. Johnson

LGBTQIA+ rights pioneer Marsha P Johnson passed away on this day in 1992.

UK Reform leader Nigel Farage says gay marriage is “wrong”

Farage says the issue is now settled, but restated he's never been a supporter of same-sex couples being allowed to marry.

Barn Dance is heading to a Gold Rush

Tickets to Perth's big night of boot scooting and bandanas are now on sale.

Now You Know: Five quick news stories

A gay classic turned into a ballet, a country music star, arrests in China, a new leader for Mardi Gras, and coming out in the AFL.

Actor Julian McMahon dies aged 56 after private cancer battle

The actor first found success on 'Home and Away' before hitting the international stage.

On This Gay Day | Remembering Marsha P. Johnson

LGBTQIA+ rights pioneer Marsha P Johnson passed away on this day in 1992.

UK Reform leader Nigel Farage says gay marriage is “wrong”

Farage says the issue is now settled, but restated he's never been a supporter of same-sex couples being allowed to marry.

Barn Dance is heading to a Gold Rush

Tickets to Perth's big night of boot scooting and bandanas are now on sale.