Why do the job of politicians

SAME-SEX MARRIAGE

NOW that a postal vote on same-sex marriage is happening, the for and against media circus has started, with some found to be providing false information to help their cause. The reality is, with all the money being spent by the for and against camps, the Government is not bound by the result, even if a 99.9 per cent majority votes yes or no. The only way to get this issue resolved is through a vote in Parliament. This is why politicians are paid huge salaries, to make these decisions on behalf of the public. It is a case of the pollies passing the buck. Psychological research provides no evidence to justify refusing same-sex partners the choice to marry, but there is ample evidence such discrimination contributes significantly to the risk of mental ill-health among LGBTQI+ people, especially young people, and to creating or worsening social divisions in our society. The APS does not support the postal vote because of the damaging nature of the debate and campaigning. We have already seen our community becoming divided along Yes or No lines. This is detrimental to the health and wellbeing of LGBTQI+ people, their families and friends and also the cohesive fabric of society. But if the High Court challenge is unsuccessful and the vote proceeds, we support the yes vote. We urge that samesex marriage be legalised.

Not within her ambit

THE time has come for our Lord Mayor, Sue Hickey, to focus on her elected role and not fly her stance on marriage equality atop the Hobart City Council building. It is an act of defiance and clearly indicates her stance on a matter not in her charter. for all married couples who must remain married and loving ad infinitum. Clearly there is a parallel universe. I think it is called Disneyland. Denial of the right for two people of the same gender to marry is as homophobic as denying women the vote was sexist.

Sheep and goats

THE great debate over changing the marriage laws continues, with some of my Christian brethren trying to stem the tide of public opinion on same-sex marriage. The simple solution is for Christian churches to withdraw from officiating at secular marriages and apply their rules only to Christians who want the biblical view of marriage. Why aren’t Christians equally vocal about social inequality, poverty, treatment of refugees, the unemployed, the aged trying to live on a pension, and of Centrelink using robotic technology to rip entitlements from the most disadvantaged? I despair that the Christian remnant, of which I am one, continues to concentrate on personal moral issues where the Government is simply following public opinion, rather than being vocal about the social mores of a Government that penalises those least able to cope financially. The public face of Christian opinion should be sharing the Gospel, not judging personal morals. We must remember the Bible says that Jesus, the Good Shepherd, in the judgment will divide people into sheep, who care for the needy and who will inherit the kingdom, and goats, who don’t and who won’t.

Everyone’s coastline

ISN’T it time for government to realise that the immediate coastline belongs to all, not just big business. If you want fish farms, then they should be at least 2km from any coastline.

Human rights

PETER Dutton continues to prove there is no limit to his human rights abuses. Sadly our Prime Minister is right behind the abuse of human rights handed out by Peter Dutton. His latest effort must be close to the bottom, even for Dutton.

Positive shift

I FEEL that the process of voting in the poll on same-sex marriage is producing a positive change in our society, deeper than merely changing the law. Bill Shorten opposed this change at every turn and thinks he can claim the result. Well, get off Malcolm Turnbull’s wagon Bill Shorten, you should have hitched up at the start of the journey.

Pay rises

ISN’T it amazing how quick politicians are to want to crack down on some executives’ pay but whenever someone mentions politicians’ pay, they immediately recite the same old tired excuses, “remuneration tribunal and at arm’s length”.