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High Court hearing into ACT Marriage Equality Same-Sex Bill begins tomorrow
NSW marriage supporters urged to contact MPs not to redefine marriage
Tasmanian lower house rejects voluntary euthanasia bill – again
Mark Brown on the Political Spot about rejection to Tas euthanasia bill
Anti-Slavery Australia Director Jennifer Burn on the Political Spot
Francis Sullivan on the Political Spot about calls for national approach for better child protection
Education Forum with Senator Scott Ryan in Brisbane
In the media – a wrap up of the last week’s commentary
For the diary – a selection of upcoming events
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Emotion can and does play an important part in political debate.
There were scenes of emotional outpouring as the ACT Legislative Assembly passed a so called marriage equality bill this week.
It is very difficult to argue counter positions against emotionalism without appearing heartless.
The federal government is asking the High Court to hear its request to overturn the ACT law before anyone gets “married” when eligibility kicks in early December. A directions hearing is expected tomorrow afternoon in the High Court.
The reality is that the ACT law, passed by just nine people in a 17 member assembly, undermines the Commonwealth’s constitutional power over marriage.
Sadly the ACT Government is prepared to use a deeply emotional issue for a small number of people as part of a broader political campaign to change Australia’s definition of marriage.
The talk in the assembly this week of transforming Canberra into a “rainbow city of love” where we had dismissed the “outdated legal institution” of man+woman marriage may all be short lived and a small number of people will be hurt.
As Canberra’s Catholic Monsignor John Woods wrote this week, marriage is about difference, not sameness.
The voiceless in this debate – children – intuitively have a deep longing for the difference that each of their biological parents brings to their lives.
Wherever possible, public policy should uphold this basic human right even in the face of strong emotional claims from adults.
Marriage has never been just about the love of two adults. It also exists to protect the deep emotional needs of a child and is the only institution that does this.
We should all get emotional about this.
Lyle Shelton
Managing Director

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