Same-sex marriage must protect religious freedom: Newspoll

Australians want religious freedom guaranteed as part of the debate over same-sex marriage, ­according to a Newspoll.

‘If we can’t stop it, we need to win it’: Bill Shorten at a rally in Melbourne yesterday in support of same-sex marriage. Picture: David Geraghty

Australians want federal parliament to guarantee religious freedom as part of the debate over same-sex marriage, with concerns strongest among Labor voters, ­according to a special Newspoll.

Amid a widening dispute over claims Christians and other ­believers could be “harassed” into complying with a new view of marriage, voters are supporting the call for safeguards by a clear majority.

Support remains strong for same-sex marriage, according to the Newspoll, conducted exclusively for The Australian, with 63 per cent declaring they would vote Yes to the question being put in a postal plebiscite within weeks.

The survey also found 49 per cent of voters were in favour of the postal plebiscite being conducted, with 43 per cent against it and 8 per cent uncommitted.

The new dispute over freedom of conscience and religion is starting to overshadow the debate, with church leaders warning that their schools, hospitals, charities and welfare agencies would be vulnerable to challenge if the Yes campaign succeeds.

Asked if parliament should provide legal guarantees for freedom of conscience, belief and ­religion if same-sex marriage were legislated, 62 per cent of voters agreed, 18 per cent disagreed, and 20 per cent were uncommitted.

Support for the legal guarantees was strongest among Labor voters on 68 per cent, followed by One Nation voters on 64 per cent, with Coalition supporters on 59 per cent and Greens voters on 58 per cent.

Bill Shorten has questioned opponents of same-sex marriage, such as former prime minister Tony Abbott, who have expressed concerns about religious freedoms as part of their arguments against supporting same-sex marriage.

Earlier this month the Opposition leader criticised Mr Abbott, saying he had “warned Australians to vote No in the plebiscite for reasons unrelated to marriage equality, claiming if you’re worried about religious freedom and free speech vote No’’.

The Catholic Archbishop of Sydney, Anthony Fisher, warned last week that people working for religious organisations could be “dragged” before anti-discrimination tribunals if they disagreed with same-sex marriage.

“What protections will be ­offered to people who work for church-run institutions such as schools, hospitals and universities?” he said. “Will teachers be free to teach church teaching on marriage or will they be forced to teach a more politically correct curriculum?”

Catholic Social Services Australia chief executive Frank Brennan has also raised concern about churches being required to offer services to same-sex couples.

“Should a church aged-care ­facility be able to decline to offer married quarters to a couple who had contracted a same-sex marriage?” he asked last week.

“I would answer Yes though I would hope a church facility would be open to providing such accommodation.’’

Supporters of the change insist the reform, based on a private member’s bill from West Australian Liberal senator Dean Smith, includes safeguards that mean ­religious marriage celebrants can refuse to perform same-sex marriage ceremonies.

Just Equal spokesman Rodney Croome has argued the measures in Senator Smith’s bill are “more than enough” to protect religious freedom.

“Bringing church schools and hospitals into this debate, as well as private businesses like florist and bakers, is going too far,” Mr ­Croome has warned.

“Marriage equality should not be used as an excuse to weaken existing anti-discrimination laws as they relate to faith-based organisations and private businesses.”

Australians will start receiving ballot papers in the mail in the week beginning September 12 provided the government’s plan for a postal vote survives High Court challenges.

The special Newspoll shows community support for same-sex marriage has barely shifted since a survey last September showed 62 per cent were in favour of changing the law.

The findings counter fears that voters will ignore the postal vote, with 67 per cent of respondents saying they “definitely will” vote and 15 per cent saying they “probably will” express their view in the ballot.

Another 9 per cent say they “may or may not” fill out the ballot, while 4 per cent say they “probably will not” and 3 per cent say they “definitely will not” do so.

Voters must enrol or update their details at the Australian Electoral Commission by the close of business this Thursday to receive ballot papers under the $122 million project. The results of the survey are ­expected to be ­announced on ­November 15.

The Newspoll results, based on questions to 1675 respondents, suggests the postal vote is likely to mobilise supporters of change ­despite being fiercely criticised by Labor and the Greens.

The support for marriage equality is strongest among those aged between 18 to 34, with 70 per cent in favour, and lowest among those aged over 65, with only 49 per cent support.

The intention to “definitely” vote is strongest among those aged over 65 (76 per cent), and lowest among those aged from 18 to 34 (58 per cent).