Same-sex marriage vote: The great unwashed have spoken. We say yes

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This was published 6 years ago

Same-sex marriage vote: The great unwashed have spoken. We say yes

Updated

It's 61.6 per cent "yes" to 38.4 per cent "no". Yes, the hard right of the Coalition conjured the survey up for its own purposes, but it should have been obvious how that would backfire. This result in favour of marriage equality is a clear public statement against homophobia and will finalise the issue far more effectively than Parliament could. We, the great unwashed, have proven that we're more progressive than Parliament, that institution that we're told represents us. There's a lesson in that.

Greg Platt, Brunswick

Illustration: Andrew Dyson

Illustration: Andrew Dyson

Uphold the wishes of the people

When elected to Parliament, each minister makes an oath or affirmation "that I will well and truly serve the Commonwealth of Australia in the office of [position]". You have given your word or oath to serve the people of Australia, not your own interests or beliefs. Is it not your duty to uphold the wishes of the people? Before you start the usual sophistry by squawking that only 61.6 per cent of the people want this change, remember this is a far higher percentage of the electorate than voted for you.

Paul Sweeney, Seaford Rise, SA

Something to celebrate, not fear

All this talk of needing extra laws to protect our freedom of religion and freedom of speech following a "yes" vote sounds rather hollow. Aren't there already adequate protections in place? If the US civil rights movement teaches us anything, supporters of marriage equality still have a struggle ahead. Despite the signing of the Civil Rights Act in 1964 with much fanfare, discrimination persists. Look at the need for "Black Lives Matter". We can only hope that in time, most of the defiant churches and businesses in the wedding industry will not "stand on ceremony", but realise marriage equality is something to be celebrated not feared.

Nick Toovey, Beaumaris

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If you can't stand the heat ...

I thought carefully about my vote and after due consideration and discussion with my friends and checking on how they handled the issue in The Netherlands I opted for the "yes" case in the clear anticipation this would be it, unconditionally. Therefore, I have no time for special considerations and discriminations to allow priests and parsons and officials to be exempt from administering the oath and those providing ancillary marriage services. If priests and parsons or civil celebrants do not wish to administer the oath of marriage to gay couples, they should not be allowed to administer the oath to heterosexual couples either. Public servants who refuse to administer the oath to same sex-couples should be given another job or told to look for one.

Henk van Leeuwen, Elwood

Equality is not a threat

Why are provisions that allow people to discriminate against others described as "protections"? There are plenty of neutral terms available, such as "exemptions". The choice to adopt this loaded language carries the implication that equality is a threat, from which people need protection. Nothing could be further from the truth. If people want exemptions, the onus should be on them to justify their discriminatory practices, not on those who believe in equality to explain why everyone should be expected to treat each other with respect and dignity.

Linda Gale, Kensington

Do unto all the others?

So, some still don't want to sell wedding cakes to gay couples on grounds of religious freedom. Will they also refuse to serve tax dodgers, liars, family violence perpetrators, adulterers etc? After all, this behaviour contradicts biblical teachings.

Jennie Irving, Camberwell

FORUM

Vale marriage

For those of us who are married, or have a treasured family photo of our parents' wedding on the mantelpiece or wall, we must now clearly comprehend, that the nuptial framework in which those vows were taken has been retrospectively declared to be invalid and inferior.

If all goes according to populist plan, when the respective legislation is finally amended, our elected federal representatives will have brazenly reduced wedlock to its lowest common denominator. Such long-held facets of marriage – complementary genders, reproduction and the bringing up of children with their biological parents – will have been stripped from this most intimate of institutions.

Soon, marriage will no longer be a sacred covenant of commitment, ideally glueing together two equal, but different parties; it will be a sterile contract of convenience. Emotional satisfaction and lifestyle validation for consenting adults, not social stability, will be the new civil deity.

While it may take a generational cycle or more, we should expect other variant relational arrangements to be included in the great communal bear hug of giving everyone want they want, when they want, for surely only we enlightened ones, not our bigoted ancestors, know best. We may come to regret we were not more careful with what we wished for.

Peter Waterhouse, Craigieburn

End of the story?

I am not surprised but certainly disappointed with the results of same sex-marriage survey. It appears to me that people were so annoyed with the ongoing debate on this issue that they wanted to end the discussion and surely, discussion would not have ended by the victory of "no" votes. I am still concerned about the complications and problems arising out of change in Marriage Act.

Usman Mahmood, South Bowenfels, NSW

Moving right along

Now, when we've sorted the most important issue in our country – marriage equality – hopefully we can find some time and energy for other less important things: unaffordable housing, long hospital waiting lists, insufficient infrastructure, low quality of age care ...

Bosko Marojevic, Williamstown

Democracy weakened

Malcolm Turnbull may be correct to say that the marriage equality postal survey was "an unprecedented exercise in democracy". We should all hope that this is no precedent. This weakening of our parliamentary democracy simply allows gutless governments to resort to expensive, drawn-out plebiscites whenever a difficult issue needs to be addressed.

Mark Lewis, Ascot Vale

PM's power trip-up

The welcome result of the postal survey cannot be allowed to overshadow the malignant seed that the Prime Minister has planted into Australian politics. Traditionally, we have been a hard people to divide. Come election time, we don't deeply cleave on single issues, nor do we face off against each other on an identity-driven, emotional basis. Instead, we throw our support behind a mixed bag of policies and opinions that we rarely bother to unpack once the process is done. We move on. But this survey has been different. Over the past few months, the PM has pitted citizen against citizen in a method alien to democratic traditions in Australia. He has isolated and exhibited a segment of Australians for public appraisal. This is the start of something new and noxious in our public discourse, which the PM has instigated for his own political ends. It is cowardice, opportunism, and an abdication of leadership of the highest order, and the Prime Minister will not be remembered kindly for it.

David Joyce, Kensington

A heartfelt loss

I'm saddened to see Jacqui Lambie leave the Senate. She did have something all the other politicians wanted: integrity. Love her or hate her, at least she represented real people's interests and held conviction in the Australian Parliament. Something she showed right through to the end. Did you notice how she didn't waste everyone's time at the High Court? I anticipate an exciting return to government and hope it's in the lower house so she can effectively cause more problems for the charade that we are currently calling the Commonwealth of Australia. I don't want to agree with everything a politician does; I just want to see them represent a belief with conviction. For all our sake, give up trying to find the most popular view and simply act on what you believe in.

Dylan Mraz, Pascoe Vale South

Follow Lambie's lead

Given the evident respect which Jacqui Lambie earned from all sides of the Senate during her short tenure there, might it be possible for more parliamentarians to consider emulating her approach and principles by rejecting the undemocratic lobbying arrangements, the widespread self-interest and craven disregard for common sense and humanity in pursuit of party unity? Ms Lambie appeared always to act for the good of Australians and for Australia.

Michael Tollis, Croydon

Not Australian enough?

So, in addition to her Aboriginal heritage, Jacqui Lambie was Australian enough to serve 11 years in the Australian Army, including in East Timor, but not Australian enough to be a federal senator. Time for bipartisan action to drag our antiquated constitution into the 21st century.

Dianne Anderson, Bundoora

Get in the queue

Might I suggest that all our recently unemployed federal politicians be taken to their local Centrelink office, where they can apply for Newstart, and be referred to a job provider or disability employment service. It would give them valuable insight into how the burgeoning welfare budget is being spent. In two years, my "tailored program of support" was unable to provide me with a resume, let alone any help with employment opportunities or retraining. I understand Jacqui Lambie has experience in such matters, and should therefore be excused from this exquisite form of torture.

Mark Robertson, Wonthaggi

Tragedy of addiction

The headline "Dead club king Darren Thornburgh 'refused to get help for addiction' in last week" (theage.com.au, 15/11), not-so-subtly implies that this man is to blame for his own demise. The reader can further extrapolate from this whether or not the individual in question is "worthy" of our sympathy. Whatever the circumstances, a life lost involving addiction is a human tragedy. The addict, whomever they are, is someone's child, someone's brother or sister, someone's friend.

Of course this person refused help with his addiction – that is the very problem at the core of addiction. Highlighting this element to infer blame on the victim shows a sad lack of respect and empathy for a human life lost.

Saul Darby, Fitzroy North

Better than none

Congratulations to Biffy James ("Top mark in life lessons", Comment, 14/11) for reminding readers that when it comes to an ATAR exam result, a high score is not the only path to success. However, today she might not have any score at all. She would likely be among the growing number of weaker students being prevented from sitting VCE exams by their school.

Since the advent of the MySchool website, schools are competing for top results. Students who are likely to bring the average down are being persuaded to abandon "stressful exams" and spun the line they won't need an ATAR. In fact, entry to most university courses requires an ATAR. Students are seriously disadvantaged without it. They are fed the myth that a diploma course at a training institution is an easy route into second-year university courses.

The cost of these transition courses can be more than many university degrees. Students are far better off sitting the exam – even getting a low ATAR.

Clarice Ballenden, North Caulfield

Helping hands

Well done to all the lovely people who stopped to help an injured kangaroo lying in the middle of the Hume Freeway on Thursday afternoon, a few kilometres north of Kilmore. They checked on the occupant of the car who'd hit the animal, then helped drag the big male roo to the side of the road. A passing policeman stopped, and humanely dealt with the badly hurt animal with one clean shot. It was distressing indeed but, without doubt, prevented possible real carnage if the animal had been left on the road.

Mara Hayler, Darley

Joy ride

Adults being po-faced over the frivolous name Ferry McFerryface could take a back seat, preferably on the ferry, and let Ferry McFerryface be the craft children, with parents or grandparents in tow, make a beeline for at Sydney Harbour. Any adult who has heard of Harry Potter or Captain Underpants know children thrive on imagination. One ferry with a silly name isn't the end of the world. A man with a hair comb-over, odd finger movements and a mouth that purses like a porcelain doll is working on that task in the US.

Des Files, Brunswick

AND ANOTHER THING ...

Same-sex marriage

With the "no" case trounced, is Tony Abbott thinking of sacrificing a goat to the volcano god?

Thos Puckett, Ashgrove

7,817,247 of us voted for the often-cited national characteristic of a fair go. Its meaningful confirmation and preservation is to be celebrated.

Tony Delaney, Warrnambool

Perfect opportunity for the PM to stare down the conservatives of his party and show true leadership by getting the legislation through before Christmas.

Giuseppe Corda, Aspendale

Dean Smith, put your bill.

Tony Jago, Wangaratta

Senator James Paterson's enthusiasm to be taken seriously suggests he has an inflated idea of his value to his party and the country.

Hugh McCaig, Blackburn

Why should freedom of religion be more important than freedom of the people?

Mervyn Robbins, Coburg

More work for wedding celebrants, but a dilemma for ministers and priests.

Frances Damon, Tooradin

How many cake-shop owners voted "no"?

Paul Drakeford, Kew

The Australian Bureau of Statistics has made its debut.

Joan Segrave, Healesville

Yes! Yes! Yes! (Apologies to When Harry Met Sally.)

Myra Fisher, Brighton East

Jacqui Lambie

More "bogans" with a heart in Parliament urgently required. Thanks, Ms Lambie.

Pamela Papadopoulos, South Yarra

The Senate would benefit from fewer sheep and more Lambies.

Joe Wilder, Caulfield North

Finally ...

Ferry McFerryface in the same fleet as Victor Chang, Fred Hollows et al is an insult.

Geoff Schmidt, Fitzroy North

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