Christensen under fire for post on gay marriage and guns MP flops on Facebook
DAWSON MP George Christensen has apologised for a controversial Facebook post linking the gay marriage debate to firearms.
The LNP MP on Sunday night weighed in to the discussion of the US Supreme Court’s ruling in favour of gay marriage on his Facebook page.
“I’m wondering how many people who look to USA and say we should follow them on “gay marriage” because they’re America the Great would want us to follow their lead on the right to bear arms?” Mr Christensen posted.
Mr Christensen yesterday deleted the post and apologised for causing any offence.
“My intention was simply to say that not everything the United States does should be followed,” he wrote on his Facebook page.
“However, on reflection, it was a poor analogy to link the issue to guns and I do apologise for making that link.
“It is no state secret that I am in favour of retaining the definition of marriage as it is currently defined d i in th the Mar Marriage Act. The thing is, my voice is but one of many.
“What I want is for the manym to have a say on this issue.is To that end, I continue to lobbylo for a public vote, a plebiscite,s which is like a referendum,e on this matter.
“There should be a genuine equallye funded public debate ono this issue in the lead- up to the vote. It should be a debate around issues and one that doesn’t devolve in name- calling or insults.”
Facebook users yesterday took to the page to criticise Mr Christensen for his original Facebook post.
“Are you actually compar- ing marriage equality to gun laws? Learn to shut your mouth mate,” one user posted.
“Guns are weapons, same sex marriage is not. Simple as that,” another post said.
It comes after Mr Christensen took to Twitter to slam his Federal LNP colleague Ewen Jones for “enlisting Jesus’ support” for gay marriage.
Mr Christensen has called for a plebiscite on gay marriage, to be co- ordinated by the Australian Electoral Commission. He said letting the public decide was the best way to address the issue.