Labor Senate Leader Penny Wong slams critics of gay families as campaigning begins ahead of marriage equality postal vote
LABOR Senate Leader Penny Wong has slammed critics of same-sex couples with children as unofficial campaigning for the September marriage equality postal plebiscite begins.
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LABOR Senate Leader Penny Wong has slammed critics of same-sex couples with children as unofficial campaigning for the September marriage equality postal plebiscite begins.
The Senate on Wednesday blocked Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull’s bid to hold a full plebiscite on same-sex marriage, triggering the Government’s backup plan of a voluntary postal vote.
Senator Wong, who has two children with her partner Sophie Allouache, said that families headed by same-sex couples were already being exposed to hateful language by some opponents of marriage equality.
She took aim at the Australian Christian Lobby, which has in the past compared children of gay parents who were conceived via altruistic surrogacy to “the stolen generation.’’
Senator Wong also rejected a suggestion by Finance Minister Mathias Cormann that a popular vote on marriage equality could be a unifying moment for the country.
“We love our children, and I object — as does every person who cares about children and as do all those same-sex couples in this country who have kids — to being told that our children are a ‘stolen generation’,’’ she told Parliament.
“You talk about unifying moments? That’s not a unifying moment. It’s exposing our children to that kind of hatred.”
Australian Christian Lobby managing director Lyle Shelton said he had no ill-will towards Senator Wong and her family.
“I never doubt people’s love for their partners of their families,’’ he said.
Mr Shelton said difficult issues would be raised during the postal vote campaign but this should be done in a respectful way.
Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull said that offensive remarks were often made during major political debates but this was not a reason to cancel the postal vote.
“In any debate there will be statements made which are offensive, which many will regard as extreme, which many regard as wrong,’’ he said.
Mr Turnbull, who plans to vote “yes” for marriage equality, said he would encourage everyone involved in the debate to act responsibly and with respect towards their opponents.
Unless a High Court challenge by marriage equality supporters is successful, the $122 million national postal ballot will start with voting papers being sent out from September 12. The deadline for ballots to be returned will be November 25.
Pro and anti-marriage equality groups are both rushing to implement campaign plans. The Australian Christian Lobby has already teamed up with the Sydney Anglican and Catholic archdioceses and the Marriage Alliance to form the Coalition for Marriage.
Former prime minister Tony Abbott and his sister Christine Forster are taking opposite sides in the marriage equality debate, with Mr Abbott warning that religious freedom would be under threat if same-sex marriage was legalised.
Ms Forster, who is a Liberal member of the Sydney City Council, took to Twitter to urge Australians to vote for marriage equality.