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Below: ABC news segment aired after the narrow federal election win by the Gillard Labor Government. Amid accusations from the Opposition that the Greens were forcing their gay marriage agenda onto the ALP, some Labor MPs were hinting that a conscience vote on the issue would be welcome. Below: a 7pm Project interview with Greens MP Adam Bandt. A subsequent discussion between the panel members makes interesting and entertaining viewing. Below: an ABC Q&A clip showing federal Opposition Leader Tony Abbott answering a question from a proponent of gay marriage. Mr Abbott explains and expands on his position opposing same-sex marriages Below: another Q&A segment featuring former PM Kevin Rudd explaing his opposition to same-sex marriage, while supporting measures to remove other forms of discrimination against gay unions. |
 Web links and documents |
Ontario Consultants on Religious Tolerance are an international group who present arguments on ethical issues. They usually attempt to canvass both sides of the issues they treat. Their treatment of same-sex marriage can be found at http://www.religioustolerance.org/hom_marr_menu.htm
The Australian Family Association is opposed to same-sex marriage. The organisation has gathered a collection of links to sites that share its view and present arguments supporting their opinion. This set of links can be found at http://www.family.org.au/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=328&Itemid=53
The Potential Wedding Album is an Internet site established to present the case of those Australian same-sex couples who wish to be allowed to marry. This site presents personal details of some gay couples seeking to marry. The site encourages browsers who support their position to register this. The site can be found at http://www.thepotentialweddingalbum.org/
The Internet site of the Catholic Archdiocese of Melbourne has a section titled Life, Marriage and Family. This explains the reasons why the Catholic Church supports heterosexual marriage and opposes same-sex marriage. The relevant section of this site can be found at http://www.cam.org.au/lifemarriagefamily/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=9&Itemid=14
On May 5, 2004, Online Opinion published the views of Associate Professor Igor Primoratz, author of 'Ethics and Sex'. Professor Primoratz supports same-sex marriage. His article is titled, 'The arguments against allowing gay and lesbian marriages do not stack up'. The full text of the article can be found at http://www.onlineopinion.com.au/view.asp?article=2185
On March 4, 2009, Quadrant Online published an opinion piece by Bill Muehlenberg titled 'What Marriage Means'. The article analysis and supports the views of David Blankenhorn expressed in his book, 'The Future of Marriage'. The book is an argument for the maintenance of the current definition of marriage as a union between a man and a woman intended to provide a stable environment for the rearing of children. The full text of this article can be found at http://www.quadrant.org.au/blogs/muehlenberg/2009/03/what-marriage-means
On July 7, 2010, Rodney Croome's opinion piece 'Gillard and the choice to marry' was published on the ABC's opinion site, The Drum Unleashed. Rodney Croome traces the history of changes to legalised marriage that have resulted in the removal of discrimination against heterosexual women and those of different races. Croome suggests that Julia Gillard's position of marriage equality is inconsistent. The full text of this opinion piece can be found at http://www.abc.net.au/unleashed/35274.html
On July 14, 2010, The Punch published an opinion piece titled, 'In defence of gay marriages, and ending bad straight ones'. The piece is written by David Penberthy and argues that opposition to same-sex marriage is based on prejudice. The full text of the opinion piece can be found at http://www.thepunch.com.au/articles/in-defence-of-gay-marriages-and-ending-bad-straight-ones/
On July 16, 2010, The Punch published an opinion piece titled, 'It's time to allow gay marriage in Australia'. The opinion was written by Rob Mills who argues that same-sex marriage has been successfully legalised in a number of other countries. The full text of the opinion piece can be found at http://www.thepunch.com.au/articles/its-time-to-allow-gay-marriage/
On August 30, 2010, the ABC's Religion & Ethics site published an opinion piece by Rodney Croome titled, 'Beyond equality: the deeper case for allowing same-sex couples to marry' The piece is a careful consideration of the significance of marriage as a social institution and its importance for those who are allowed to marry. The full text of this article can be found at http://www.abc.net.au/religion/articles/2010/08/30/2997182.htm
On November 22, 2010, Nielsen polls released the results of a poll of 1,400 respondents to discover their attitude to same-sex marriage. The poll revealed that 57% of respondents favour the legalisation of same-sex marriage. The full text of this report can be found at http://au.nielsen.com/news/200512.shtml
On November 23, 2010, Online Opinion published 'Gay marriage - the moral obligation of our time' by James Mangisi. The piece argues that the right to marry is a fundamental human right that should not be denied same-sex couples. The full text of this opinion piece can be found at http://www.onlineopinion.com.au/view.asp?article=11267
On November 25, 2010, Quadrant Online published an opinion piece by Bill Muehlenberg titled, 'Homosexual marriage and the slippery slope'. The piece argues that legalising same-sex marriage could lead to the legalisation of polygamy, bisexual unions and perhaps even incestuous unions.
The full text of the opinion piece can be found at http://www.quadrant.org.au/blogs/muehlenberg/2010/11/homosexual-marriage-and-the-slippery-slope
On November 29, 2010, Quadrant Online published an opinion piece by Bill Muehlenberg titled, 'Marry us, marry us!' The piece is an argument against the legalisation of same-sex marriage. It stresses that doing so would pave the way for legalised polygamy, bi-sexual unions, incest and bestiality. The style seems in part exaggerated for satirical effect. The full text of this opinion piece can be found at http://www.quadrant.org.au/blogs/muehlenberg/2010/11/time-for-some-real-marriage-equality