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Australian Christian Lobby asks donors for war chest to fight marriage equality Australian Christian Lobby asks donors for war chest to fight marriage equality
(about 1 hour later)
The Australian Christian Lobby has asked supporters to fund a $200,000 “war chest” in defence of traditional marriage, ahead of a federal election in which the same-sex marriage debate is likely to feature heavily.The Australian Christian Lobby has asked supporters to fund a $200,000 “war chest” in defence of traditional marriage, ahead of a federal election in which the same-sex marriage debate is likely to feature heavily.
ACL’s managing director, Lyle Shelton, sent an email out to supporters on Friday, asking for a “gift to help fight for marriage”.ACL’s managing director, Lyle Shelton, sent an email out to supporters on Friday, asking for a “gift to help fight for marriage”.
“Your support today will help ACL build a $200,000 ‘war chest’ so we can get the message out, resource our team to present a voice for marriage, and equip churches for grassroots actions,” the email said.“Your support today will help ACL build a $200,000 ‘war chest’ so we can get the message out, resource our team to present a voice for marriage, and equip churches for grassroots actions,” the email said.
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The money could go towards a no campaign for a plebiscite on same-sex marriage. Opponents of the plebiscite have warned that the no campaign could be divisive and potentially harmful.
Marriage equality is likely to be a big issue during the next federal election, as the Coalition has pledged to hold a plebiscite on the matter some time after polling day. The form of the question, the timeline for its implementation if passed and whether or not the plebiscite’s outcome will be binding have all yet to be finalised.Marriage equality is likely to be a big issue during the next federal election, as the Coalition has pledged to hold a plebiscite on the matter some time after polling day. The form of the question, the timeline for its implementation if passed and whether or not the plebiscite’s outcome will be binding have all yet to be finalised.
Even if the majority of Australians support same-sex marriage, legislation will need to be passed by the federal government in order to change the Marriage Act, which currently restricts marriage to between a man and a woman.Even if the majority of Australians support same-sex marriage, legislation will need to be passed by the federal government in order to change the Marriage Act, which currently restricts marriage to between a man and a woman.
Labor is opposed to holding a plebiscite, instead vowing to introduce legislation to change the Marriage Act within 100 days of winning office.Labor is opposed to holding a plebiscite, instead vowing to introduce legislation to change the Marriage Act within 100 days of winning office.
Head of the Palmer United party, Clive Palmer, wants the commonwealth to get out of marriage altogether, saying it should be left solely to churches and religious groups.Head of the Palmer United party, Clive Palmer, wants the commonwealth to get out of marriage altogether, saying it should be left solely to churches and religious groups.
“All citizens must have the right to a civil union recognised by the Australian government,” Palmer said. “No citizen or couple should have the right to force any church to marry them.”“All citizens must have the right to a civil union recognised by the Australian government,” Palmer said. “No citizen or couple should have the right to force any church to marry them.”
The move would lead to “greater unity and acceptance to Australian society”, he argued.The move would lead to “greater unity and acceptance to Australian society”, he argued.
The national director of Australian Marriage Equality, Rodney Croome, has labelled the move “unnecessary, complicated and offensive”.The national director of Australian Marriage Equality, Rodney Croome, has labelled the move “unnecessary, complicated and offensive”.
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“The simplest way to ensure churches aren’t forced to marry same-sex couples is to allow clergy to refuse to marry them,” Croome said. “The Marriage Act currently allows clergy to refuse to marry any couple who don’t conform to church doctrine and that provision should simply be expanded to include same-sex couples when marriage equality is enacted.”“The simplest way to ensure churches aren’t forced to marry same-sex couples is to allow clergy to refuse to marry them,” Croome said. “The Marriage Act currently allows clergy to refuse to marry any couple who don’t conform to church doctrine and that provision should simply be expanded to include same-sex couples when marriage equality is enacted.”
The Greens want the government to change the Marriage Act, rather consider Palmer’s “complex” proposal.The Greens want the government to change the Marriage Act, rather consider Palmer’s “complex” proposal.
“This civil scheme would exist alongside marriage and create a hierarchy of relationship recognition. It certainly wouldn’t solve discrimination,” Greens senator Robert Simms said.“This civil scheme would exist alongside marriage and create a hierarchy of relationship recognition. It certainly wouldn’t solve discrimination,” Greens senator Robert Simms said.
A crossbench bill to legalise same-sex marriage, backed by Liberal backbencher, Warren Entsch, is due to be debated in Parliament’s federation chamber on Monday.A crossbench bill to legalise same-sex marriage, backed by Liberal backbencher, Warren Entsch, is due to be debated in Parliament’s federation chamber on Monday.
In August, a Coalition party room meeting led by then prime minister, Tony Abbott, comprehensively rejected a proposal to let members have a free vote on changing the Marriage Act. Abbott instead pushed the plebiscite idea, saying it was “fair” for the public to decide.In August, a Coalition party room meeting led by then prime minister, Tony Abbott, comprehensively rejected a proposal to let members have a free vote on changing the Marriage Act. Abbott instead pushed the plebiscite idea, saying it was “fair” for the public to decide.
Upon taking the leadership from Abbott in September, Malcolm Turnbull, stuck to the party line on the same-sex marriage plebiscite, despite earlier stating his support for changing the Marriage Act.Upon taking the leadership from Abbott in September, Malcolm Turnbull, stuck to the party line on the same-sex marriage plebiscite, despite earlier stating his support for changing the Marriage Act.