Coalition in danger of fight with Catholics on same-sex marriage

Catholic educators have defended the right to teach ­students the traditional definition of marriage.

‘Voting Yes will ensure a Liberal/National government ­introduces sensible legislation,’ says Tim Wilson. Picture: Gary Ramage

The National Catholic Education Commission has ­defended the right of more than 1700 Catholic schools to teach ­students the traditional definition of marriage if same-sex marriage is passed.

The NCEC issued a statement to The Australian yesterday voicing its concerns about the lack of focus on religious freedoms as well as the failure to set out the proposed changes in legislation ahead of the postal ballot.

“Without having seen the wording of legislation that is ­intended to enable same-sex marriage in Australian law, it is ­impossible to say if there will be adequate protections in place to ensure Catholic schools can continue to teach the Catholic view of marriage,” the NCEC’s statement said. “Explicit protections are needed so as to enshrine the right of all faith-based schools to teach their view of marriage, consistent with their conscientiously held ­religious beliefs.”

The Catholic sector educates more than 765,000 students and represents a major force in the political debate, with a recent analysis showing the federal government was exposed to a potential voter backlash over its Gonski 2.0 school funding changes in 13 marginal seats in NSW, Queensland and Victoria.

The warning from the Catholic education sector comes as supporters of the No campaign seek to broaden the debate over same-sex marriage, urging voters to think of the consequences it could have on faith-based institutions such as schools, hospitals and charities.

Tony Abbott yesterday likened the redefinition of marriage to a “big leap into the dark” and warned that, if marriage was degendered, it would be hard to prevent the teaching of gender fluidity programs in schools.

“The best way of standing up for traditional values, the best way of saying you don’t like the direction our country is headed in right now is to get that ballot paper out and vote No,” he told 2GB radio.

Bill Shorten yesterday criticised those in the No campaign for trying to link the postal survey to broader issues about religious freedoms, arguing they were trying to “muddy the waters”.

“This statistical survey changes nothing about your ability to go to church or religious freedom, let’s be straight about that, it is a distraction,” he said. “I just say to the marriage equality opponents: you wanted this survey and now you are trying to throw every other issue into the mix ... It is not fair and it demeans the argument.”

Victorian Liberal MP Tim Wilson, one of the leading proponents for same-sex marriage, told The Australian those concerned with religious freedoms should vote Yes in the plebiscite because a ­Coalition government would do more to protect religious freedoms. “Voting Yes will ensure a Liberal/National government ­introduces sensible legislation that is mindful of the interests of all Australians, including protecting religious liberty as well as civil marriage for same-sex couples,” he said. “Voting No means supporting a future Labor/Greens government to introduce a law that won’t give two hoots about ­religious liberty.”

Mark Spencer, executive officer of national policy at Christian Schools Australia, said there was deep concern about the ability of schools to promote a traditional view of marriage to students. He said Christian Schools Australia had written to Attorney-General George Brandis and Education Minister Simon Birmingham about the lack of focus on protections for religious freedoms.

“We want to be sure we can continue to teach and uphold a traditional view of marriage. Nothing more, nothing less.”