Forum to present outlooks in debate

POLITICIANS and commentators will debate same- sex marriage at a Townsville forum on Friday.

Herbert MP Cathy O’Toole, whose daughter is in a samesex relationship, said she would use the Townsville Marriage Forum, to be held at Ryan Community Centre, to voice her support.

“I think it’s really important that we have a reasonable and respectful debate about marriage equality,” she said.

Ms O’Toole said “no” campaigners had conflated the issue of gay marriage with the introduction of the controversial Safe Schools program.

“We need to put the facts on the table about what the postal survey is actually about,” she said. “What I have seen are some very unfortunate mistruths about what marriage equality will lead to.”

Ms O’Toole said the Federal Government should have held a parliamentary vote rather than an expensive, nonbinding postal vote.

“We wouldn’t be in this position if the Government hadn’t chosen to go for a postal vote and waste $ 122 million,” she said. “But we’re here now and we’re committed to running a very strong yes campaign. I would hope that our community would see that it is about human rights and vote yes.”

Conservative Christian commentator Dave Pellowe, who will argue against samesex marriage, said a fan had organised the event.

“We don’t want to live in an echo chamber, we want our ideas to be challenged and have a bit of honesty and accountability. We’ve got nothing to fear from truth,” he said.

Mr Pellowe said he hoped to see Australians vote no and “protect marriage”.

“Government didn’t invent marriage, government didn’t create marriage. It doesn’t have the right to change it,” he said.

Queensland Senator Matt Canavan will join the debate, opposing same- sex marriage.

“I think there’s something special about when a man and a woman come together and that something special is really to create children,” he said. “I think we would be naive to think there won’t be consequences from redefining something as important as marriage.”

Hot FM breakfast presenter and marriage celebrant Guy “Cliffo” Clifton will also take part in the forum and has been vocal in his support of samesex marriage.

“It’s an issue that I am passionate about. To be honest, I thought about ( participating) for a couple of days,” he said.

“I wanted to be on the right side of history. I think this is an issue we’re going to look back at and laugh some day.”

The forum is from 7- 9pm on Friday at Ryan Community Centre, Kirwan.