Executive Summary

This paper outlines some of the implications of same sex marriage. One of these is the accelerated legal and cultural damage to freedom of speech, conscience and religion for those who support traditional marriage. That issue is not just about forcing ministers to conduct weddings or bakers to bake cakes for same sex weddings. It is mainly about protecting individuals and organisations, schools and charities from being discriminated against by governments (Federal, State, Territory and local), persons or businesses just because those individuals or organisations hold or express a view in favour of traditional marriage. Robust protective laws are needed for those individuals and organisations, schools and charities. Such laws are not currently within the Coalition or the ALP’s understanding of “religious freedom protections” but need to be if a YES vote is not to create ongoing division.

Proposed changes to NT anti-discrimination law will take away the freedom of faith-based organisations to maintain their ethos.

One of Australia’s most important prophets is not from the Christian church, he is from a secular newspaper.

With attitudes to religious freedom a new key test for Australian citizenship, Australians should be concerned about rising religious intolerance on our doorstep.

With Australian same-sex marriage activists pressuring a Senate inquiry to support fines for people who disagree with them, the Trump Administration today signalled it would act to restore religious freedom.

Senate hearings last week shone more light on the legal trouble dissenters of same-sex marriage will find themselves in if the law ever changes.

What if clergy were given this choice; perform a same-sex marriage in their church or risk prosecution?

The Select Committee on the Exposure Draft of the Marriage Amendment (Same-Sex Marriage) Bill is currently holding an inquiry into the Commonwealth Government’s exposure draft of the Marriage Amendment (Same-Sex Marriage) Bill.

The Australian Christian Lobby has welcomed the Victorian Upper House’s decision to reject the Andrews Government Equal Opportunity (Religious Exceptions) Bill which attacked freedom of religion and association.

Last month, the Victorian Green’s Bill to restrict Christian schools from enrolling students based on their values and beliefs, was voted down in the Victorian Legislative Council.