Former Prime Minister Urges Australians to Vote Against Same-Sex Marriage to Protect Freedom of Speech and Religion

‘If You’re Worried About Religious Freedom and Freedom of Speech, Vote No and if You Don’t Like Political Correctness Vote No’ Says Australia’s Tony Abbott

Former Prime Minister Tony Abbott, whose tenure was riddled by his refusal to allow lawmakers to vote on same-sex marriage, this week told his fellow Australians they should vote against marriage equality. A nationwide plebiscite to decide the issue is expected before the end of the year.

“If you’re worried about religious freedom and freedom of speech, vote ‘No’, and if you don’t like political correctness, vote ‘No’ because voting ‘No’ will help to stop political correctness in its tracks,” Abbott told reporters outside Parliament Wednesday morning. 

“Obviously I will be voting no, but in the end this is not about the politicians, this is about the people, it’s about your view,” News Corp’s News.com.au reports. “And I say to you if you don’t like same-sex marriage, vote ‘No.’”

For years a strong majority of Australians have supported the right of same-sex couples to marry, but Australia’s politicians have steadfastly refused to allow lawmakers to vote on the issue. Abbott himself opposes equality, and demanded a nationwide referendum on the issue as a way to delay what many believe is inevitable. Equality advocates and supporters are opposed to a nationwide plebiscite, saying civil rights should not be subject to a popular vote.

Current Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull is pushing for what is essentially a national census to determine public opinion on same-sex marriage, which equality organizations also oppose. Another possibility, which Australia’s ABC News reports, would be “a national compulsory vote on same sex marriage” to be held on November 25. That possibility apparently is unlikely.

Turnbull has announced a $122 million back up plan: a voluntary postal vote that could be issued as soon as September 12. 

The votes would be due back by November 7, which gives about eight weeks to return papers. We would know the result, whether voluntary or compulsory, on November 25. 

Mr Turnbull wants this dealt with by Christmas. That gives him a hard deadline of December 7 for a vote in Parliament, which is the last sitting day of the year. 

The New York Times reports “one way or another” there will be some form of a vote on same-sex marriage.

Polls vary, but overall, about 60 percent or more of Australians support the right of same-sex couples to marry.

The Christian Right is very active in Australia, and their attacks are reportedly so extreme they are losing even their own supporters.

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