Call to fight same-sex marriage push

Published: 4 December 2011
By: Paul Dobbyn

THE bill introduced to Queensland Parliament during the week on same-sex unions has been described as "a softener" on Australian Labor Party delegates opposed to same-sex marriage, in the lead-up to the party's national conference.

Brisbane archdiocese's John Paul II Centre for Family and Life director Dr Ray Campbell said the purpose of the bill's timing was clear.

"It's to put pressure on certain delegates at the ALP national conference when same-sex marriage is debated," he said.

However Dr Campbell and Family Council of Queens-land president Alan Baker said legalisation of same-sex marriage in Australia was by no means a foregone conclusion.

They cited recent research revealing the issue was of low importance to Australians.

"Groundbreaking research released last week by the Ambrose Centre of Religious Liberty, which was produced by Sexton Marketing Group, showed 60 per cent of those surveyed ranked the issue a low priority," Mr Baker said last week.

The survey also revealed 49 per cent supporting same-sex marriage, with 40 per cent opposed - and 48 per cent supporting delaying changes, to avoid social division.

"Just 29 per cent wanted to proceed now," Mr Baker said.

Dr Campbell, who recently prepared a submission on the Civil Partnerships Bill 2011, said the State Government's legislation intended to "mimic marriage".

"In my submission, I noted that the Civil Partnership Bill aims, among other things, to give same-sex couples recognition at the State level, similar to marriage," he said.

"Deputy Premier Andrew Fraser, the bill's initiator, has indicated that he is going as far as the State can go in putting same-sex relationships on the same level as marriage.

"This is even though it is beyond the power of the State to legislate regarding marriage itself."

The Civil Partnership Bill was expected to pass Queensland Parliament last week.

Mr Baker said those who supported marriage between a man and a woman as the foundation of society could help by becoming educated on the issue, lobbying their members of parliament and contributing to the campaign being run by pro-family organisations.