Media Release
The Australian Christian Lobby (ACL) today welcomed Prime Minister Julia Gillard’s refusal to guarantee she would legalise gay marriage even if the ALP National Conference changes its policy on this issue.
ACL Managing Director Jim Wallace said this position is consistent with the clear pre-election commitment Ms Gillard gave to the Christian constituency that the definition of marriage as being between a man and a woman would not be changed during the term of a re-elected Gillard Government.
“This clear commitment was given for the full term of Government – not just up until the ALP national conference. And the importance of not allowing this to change at the next Conference was acknowledged by Ms Gillard. It is a pledge of great importance to the Christian constituency and will be closely monitored to see whether Labor, under Julia Gillard, fulfils its commitment,” Mr Wallace said.
Mr Wallace also congratulated the Opposition for today voting against Greens’ MP Adam Bandt’s motion for MPs to seek constituents’ views on same-sex marriage.
“Since the PM pointed out to the Christian constituency that people could draw a lot of confidence in the security of marriage because both parties agreed on it, the unequivocal position of the Coalition is very welcome,” Mr Wallace said.
“This motion was obviously a meaningless stunt and it was good to see the Opposition not bowing to the Greens’ push to keep this issue in the limelight.”
Mr Wallace said that the Greens are following a deceptive agenda in pushing gay marriage as a discrimination issue.
“ACL has in the past supported out of a concern for justice, Government moves to amend more than 100 pieces of legislation to remove practical discrimination from same-sex couples. This issue of discrimination has effectively been dealt with,” Mr Wallace said. “To try and link gay marriage with discrimination is just another example of the deceptive way in which Greens’ agendas are progressed.
“This issue is not about discrimination, it is about protecting the model of marriage between a man and a woman – a model which remains a universal cultural mainstay proven over millennia. And for all the nonsense coming out of the Greens, it is too important to be treated as just another trophy for this two percent of the population and its selfishly intolerant activists.”
Excellent work ACL. Why should we waste so much valuable time on the back foot defending what is right? Mr. Brown needs to grow up, stop draining valuable time, resources and money we tax payers spend on the Government and start working on issues that actually effect the community
I agree that marriage is only between a man and a woman, and through history when this has been ignored society has fallen apart. Take the Roman Empire, when Rome and its leaders ignored this and lived in debauchery their empire was invaded and taken over. They became easy pray. The judeo/christian norms have held civilisation together. History proves that straying from the normal strong family tradition leads to a deterioration in the strength and power of a country.
I would also like to see the ACL and other groups pushing to make divorce illegal. If a man and women stand before god and declare till death do us part, then that is what it should be. There are too many easy options for people to enter and exit marriage. It should be sacred and not able to be tossed away for convenience sake.
For those that do not make the pledge before god, too bad, we are a Christian country and all marriage is before god.
I believe after 58 years of my marriage, its steadying influnce has been the mainstay and example of relaionships within my extended family. My wife and I had seven children and all but one couple have come to realise the need to be formally married. Otherwise, (as a general comment), I feel an unmarried state would reflect unfavourably on the stability and lives of our children and grandchildren. Although some young people do not acknowledge that society is in fact ordered in a particular way and that marriage has developed over eons of time and is an essentil part of society. It did’nt happen yesterday!
I am glad that the major parties still support traditional marriage. It is my view that people have the choice to live their life as they wish. In the case of same-sex marriage the Greens have crossed the line into the world that I wish to live in, where a man and a woman get married to safe guard society and the rights of children.
The Greens have departed from their first platform of the environment. It was Bob Brown that stood up and yelled at the US president when he spoke in the Australia parliament. Now he is pushing another barrow of same-sex marriage. I think the Green’s party name should change to reflect their broader interests.
I still remember writing to Bracks (Vic) regarding the religious vilifying bill. I was worried that it would affect Christians. Brack’s office replied saying that no Christian will be harmed by this bill. As soon as the bill was enacted a case against Christians was mounted and the Christians were in court spending hundreds of thousands for years trying to defend their case. Now same-sex marriage. Will Christian Pastors and Chaplains be forced by law to conduct ceremonies of same-sex marriage? The Greens may say our goal isn’t to attack Christians, but could they guarantee it?