Religious Freedom and Same Sex Marriage: ALP responds

Who can best be trusted to look after freedom of religion if same sex marriage is legalised?

The upcoming marriage survey will ask Australians only about the definition of marriage. However for many, this question cannot be answered in the absence of firm assurances of legal protection for those with a religious objection to endorsing or participating in same sex marriages.

• The Hope Media ‘Same Sex Marriage’ Series
• Hope Media Statement about the Marriage Law Debate

While for many this issue is seen as crossing political boundaries, Liberal MP and proponent of same sex marriage Tim Wilson sees a key difference between the major parties. Speaking on Open House Mr Wilson argued that people concerned about religious freedom should vote yes while the Coalition was in Government.

Open House put that view to the Shadow Attorney General Mark Butler. He defended Labor’s record on religious freedom and expressed disappointment at the partisanship inherent in Tim Wilson’s argument.

In this interview Mark Dreyfus answers key questions about his party’s approach to religious freedom and the definition of marriage.