Faith protections doomed under YES to Homosexual Marriage
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John Howard is warning that broad protections for religious freedoms are unlikely to pass the Senate if the Yes vote wins, following Labor’s decision to back a same-sex marriage bill proposed by West Australian Liberal senator Dean Smith . The former prime minister — a key campaigner against gay marriage — argued the decision by Labor to lock in behind Senator Smith’s bill was an “added reason” for Australians to vote No in the $122 million postal survey. Mr Howard told The Australian the protections offered in Senator Smith’s bill provided only the “bare minimum” in terms of religious protections, saying a Yes outcome could force faith-based schools, charities and social-service providers to close or change the way they operate. “My position has been clear all along that I think the government should have spelt out what it had in mind,” Mr Howard said. “If the government continues to take the stance they’ll just facilitate a private member’s bill, it’s difficult to see a private ...