Excellent article.

While some of the legal aspects may indeed be vague, unclear and lacking clear substance, the so-called "safeguards" appear to be an attempt at censorship in favour of the Yes case.

If that is not correct, we can expect imminent action against Madlin Sims, the woman who has taken it upon herself - in the absence of legal procedures - to decide what is hate speech and that she should be free to punish a staff member for the perfectly reasonable statement that "It's OK to vote No", which is, after all, what the law says. Indeed, the ABS survey invites a No response.

Sims said: "Today I fired a staff member who made it public knowledge that they feel 'it's okay to vote no'. Advertising your desire to vote no for SSM is, in my eyes, hate speech."

The stultifying narcissism of that statement is astounding.

Of course, the Turnbull government will be right on the job, enforcing its new "safeguards". Right?

After all, as the ABS points out, the Safeguards Act provides that persons must not vilify, intimidate or threaten to cause harm because of any of the following grounds:

"...that the other person or group expresses or holds a view in relation to the marriage law survey question;
that the first person believes that the other person or persons hold a view in relation to the marriage law survey question..."

If no action is taken against Ms Sims, one might conclude that the safeguards operate in only one direction.

More reinforcement for Tony Abbotts position on free speech, and the gay terrorists attack on it!

Yeah its pretty sad what happened to that party worker, and i spose, whatever side you on, its becoming abundantly clear that the average citizen enjoyed more freedom during the 11th century than they have in modernity. which is quirky and counter-intuitive, lol

No it certainly won't be over.
With great sadness today I can personally confirm that evil leftist goal of dividing families is being realised.

The sovereign state has always been an extension of the family; no families, no sovereign state, which is exactly what the cultural Marxists want.

The poor, deluded homosexuals are mere pawns in the march to nihilism. As the Marxists gain more power, those fools will be Left to the tender mercies of the Left's allies, Muslims, whose power will increase as part of the Left's march.

“Legalising same-sex marriage won’t only reduce discrimination — it will give queer organisers a stronger platform to create further change …” (ACT Green, Joel Dignam)

Watch out!

Wilkie and Co. put up a very weak case. Wiser more intelligent "men" would've left well enough alone.

Opinions may well differ, but as Robbie Burns has noted. Facts are chiels tha' dinna whinge.

The science is in and there is a gay gene. Not one, but several down near the bottom of the double helix, DNA spiral.

Which means those who persecuted these unfortunate few to the point of suicide, have a case to answer! If not now, then when they face final judgement!

Moreover, in this debate, some folks know that their opinions are fact! Whereas, evidence/proven fact, is just your opinion!

Others, power junkies, simply see it as an opportunity for divide and rule politics! GO TONY!

In any event, some folk will never accept that homosexuality is a God given, natural aberration, but continue to shout, that it's choice, hard evidence to the contary, notwithstanding.!

Anything else, and to reiterate, even evidence to the contrary, opinion!

And as such, this article ought to have been headed by a banner that stated, facts vary, yours, but opinion, ours, never ever!

Bring on the next election! Where this matter will be forever put to rest and as in highly conservative, religious Ireland, becomes history!
Alan B.

The Parliament shall make no laws which hurt my feelings.

These currently married people who get so hot and bothered about allowing other people to marry or it will destroy marriage must be very insecure in their own marriages. A secure marriage can't be undermined by someone else getting married.