Lawyers groups split on gay marriage exemption rules

The Pope also condemned the rise of populist politicians, claiming wall-building ‘‘saviours’’ were throwbacks to Hitler.

‘‘Hitler didn’t steal power, his people voted for him, and then he destroyed his people,’’ he said.

‘‘That is the risk. In times of crisis, we lack judgment, and that is a constant reference for me.

‘‘Let’s look for a saviour who gives us back our identity and let’s defend ourselves with walls, barbed-wire, whatever, from other peoples that may rob us of our identity. And that is a very serious thing,’’ he added.

The Pope said Hitler had promised to give Germany its ‘‘identity’’ back but gave it ‘‘a distorted identity’’.

Frank-Walter Steinmeier, the German foreign minister, warned of ‘‘turbulent times’’ as the Trump presidency ushered in ‘‘a new global disorder’’.

‘‘With the choice of Donald Trump, the old world of the 20th century is finally over.

‘‘As always when power changes hands, there are uncertainties, doubts, questions about the course the new leadership will take.

‘‘But in these times of a new global disorder it is about more; today there is a lot at stake.’’ – The Times AUSTRALIA: The legal profession wants a contentious exemption for civil celebrants, religious bodies and other organisations dropped from draft laws legalising same-sex marriage.

But they support keeping existing protections in the Marriage Act that make it clear ministers of religions aren’t obliged to solemnise any marriage.

The Law of Council of Australia believes the proposal discriminated against same-sex, intersex and transgendered couples without any proper basis.

It told a Senate inquiry into the exposure draft of the legislation that the exemption for marriage celebrants should be removed, as well as the ability for someone to decline wedding services to gay couples.

However, the Wilberforce Foundation is calling for even broader exemptions. The group of conservative lawyers believes people should be allowed to refuse providing goods and services to a samesex couple based on their conscience - not just religious beliefs.

‘‘The parliament can’t ignore that there are lots and lots of Australians who are sincerely opposed to same-sex marriage as a conviction that this is not what marriage is,’’ Christopher Brohier told the inquiry in Melbourne.

‘‘Those people shouldn’t be labelled as illegal discriminators, they should have the right to exercise their conscience in the marketplace.’’

The inquiry, which is also holding public hearings in Sydney and Canberra this week, comes despite the Senate killing off the Turnbull government’s proposed plebiscite on the issue.

It’s not dealing with the plebiscite but rather the bill which would be introduced to parliament following voter approval.

Inquiry chairman Liberal senator David Fawcett, who does not support same sex marriage, believes there is value in people with alternative views having the opportunity to put their stance on the public record. - AAP