‘Vile’ preview of what’s to come as gay marriage opponents prepare plebiscite campaigns

TONY Abbott says a vote against gay marriage is saying no to political correctness as he kicks off his campaign to stop marriage reform ahead of the plebiscite.

Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull says concern for the mental health of LGBTI people is the ‘weakest argument’ against a plebiscite. Picture: Gary Ramage

FORMER prime minister Tony Abbott has kicked off his campaign against for the “no” vote against same sex marriage.

Speaking to reporters in Canberra Mr Abbott this morning said he would encourage people to vote against marriage reform to “stop political correctness in its tracks”.

“If you don’t like same-sex marriage vote ‘no’,” he said.

“If you’re worried about religious freedom and free speech vote ‘no’, if you don’t like political correctness, vote ‘no’.”

The vocal backbencher’s comments come as same-sex marriage opponents ramp up their campaigns to achieve a “no” result in the upcoming plebiscite.

Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull yesterday announced people would have almost two months to vote in the postal plebiscite, meaning supporters and opponents would have just as long to campaign for their desires results.

It was confirmed the government would push ahead with the postal plebiscite after its bill for a compulsory plebiscite on November 25 failed to pass the Senate this morning for the second time.

.@TonyAbbottMHR says 'well done' to @TurnbullMalcolm for sticking with a plebiscite on same-sex marriage. More: https://t.co/C5IzPJPB6x pic.twitter.com/WDLTdcksXj

— Sky News Australia (@SkyNewsAust) August 8, 2017

Groups against same sex marriage have already begun printing booklets and preparing advertising material that gay rights groups believe could be harmful to the mental health of young gay and lesbian Australians.

We’ve already seen a preview of what one group has planned, with Fairfax Media publishing leaflets authorised by former Liberal MP Chris Miles warning of what it says are the consequences of same-sex marriage.

“Married biological parents have a better record for providing safety and development of healthy, well-adjusted adult children. They minimise abuse and neglect of children,” the pamphlet reads.

In a list headed “The Facts”, the document suggests children raised by gay parents are more likely to be unemployed and abuse drugs, and are more prone to suicide.

Anti-same sex marriage groups are preparing their promotional materials for an aggressive campaign.

When the pamphlets were first revealed, Opposition Leader Bill Shorten labelled them “vile”.

The Australian Christian Lobby, one of the fiercest opponents and most high profile groups against same-sex marriage, is planning to launch a full-scale campaign to convince the voting population that the Marriage Act should not change.

Though it’s understood there will be no government funding supplied on either side of the debate, the ACL is not letting that hold it back, and will rely on private supporters to pay for the aggressive advertising it has planned.

ACL director Lyle Shelton says this makes his side of the debate “the underdog”.

“We understand there won’t be any funding, for no one. That makes it particularly difficult to our side because we don’t have Qantas and Alan Joyce and corporate Australia behind us,” he told 2GB on Tuesday night.

“We’re going to see another situation like Ireland where you saw 10s of millions in overseas money coming in to influence the debate.”

The public campaign against same sex marriage leading up to Ireland’s 2015 national referendum was found to have made young LGBTI people depressed, angry and feel marginalised.

A University of Queensland study last year found people’s health was affected as the “no” campaign gained traction.

Irish people were bombarded with aggressive television advertisements focusing on the alleged impact of gay marriage on children.

Voters were told if legislation was changed they risked their children being encouraged to cross dress and included lines like “if you think a mother’s love is irreplaceable, vote no”.

Announcing the dates for the vote that would decide whether parliamentarians would vote on changing the marriage act, Mr Turnbull yesterday he was confident Australians would be able to handle the campaign.

“There are arguments against having a plebiscite, I understand that,” the Prime Minister said.

“But the weakest argument of all, which I think has no basis, is that the Australian people aren’t capable of having a respectful discussion on this issue.”

As the government’s first preference for a compulsory national vote on November 25 has been rejected by the Senate for a second time, it will push ahead with a voluntary postal plebiscite. Forms to be sent out next month, and responses will be due mid November.

Australian Christian Lobby Managing Director Lyle Shelton is expected to be a dominant voice in the “no” campaign. Picture: Mick Tsikas/AAP