John Howard supports the ‘No’ case against same-sex marriage

JOHN Howard has put his weight behind the ‘No’ campaign for gay marriage and called for more legislation to be produced.

John Howard has called for proposed same-sex marriage legislation, including full protections for parents, religion and free speech, to be produced before the postal survey vote closes in ­November, as he launches his support for the No campaign. Picture: Supplied.

JOHN Howard has called for ­proposed gay marriage legislation to be produced before the postal survey vote closes in ­November, as he launched his support for the No campaign.

Mr Howard told The Weekend Australian that changes to social institutions will have wider implications.

The former prime minister has called for full protections for parents, religion and free speech to be developed before the Turnbull Government’s controverisal postal vote closes in November.

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

Mr Howard was prime minister in 2004 when the definition of marriage being between “a man and a woman” was ­inserted into the Marriage Act.

Malcolm Turnbull and John Howard, who support different sides of the argument on gay marriage. Picture: AP.

He also said he was worried about the recent action against doctors who have also publicly backed the No campaign.

He said he was a “no voter” based on “clear evidence” a child has better outcomes overall with a “biological mother and father”.

His comments come after current Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull told reporters in Samoa, where he was attending the Pacific Islands Forum, all Australians should engage in the debate respectfully.

But he expected there would be some “isolated unpleasant things”.

Unlike Mr Howard, Mr Turnbull will be voting Yes in the postal survey, and Yes if there is a vote in the parliament.

Treasurer Scott Morrison said Australians should not feel intimidated about having their say in this debate, and added that he’ll be voting no.

The result of the survey will be announced on November 15, followed by a vote in parliament on a private member’s bill if there is a majority “yes” result.

Read more at The Weekend Australian.