'No' campaigners vow to fight for 'freedom of speech and parent rights' after 'Yes' result
Disappointed opponents of same-sex marriage are dealing with the 'Yes' result behind closed doors in central Sydney after the survey outcome was announced in Canberra on Wednesday morning.
Coalition for Marriage spokesman Lyle Shelton described the 61.6 per cent 'Yes' vote in the voluntary postal survey on same-sex marriage as disappointing but said the group will respect the outcome.
"We will now do what we can to guard against restrictions on freedom of speech and freedom of religion, to defend parents' rights, and to protect Australian kids from being exposed to radical LGBTIQ sex and gender education in the classrooms," he said in a statement on Wednesday.
Mr Shelton congratulated the Yes party on Twitter. Source: AAP
Scott D'Amico and Brad Harker celebrate after the same sex marriage vote result announcement in Queen's Park, Brisbane. Source: AAP
Journalists were denied access to the group's meeting room while the results were read out.
Just yesterday Mr Shelton labelled "unAustralian" the vandal who smashed the rear window of a car belonging to a Coalition for Marriage volunteer.
One of our volunteers had this happen to them this morning in Sydney. This type of behaviour by either side is unacceptable & unAustralian. pic.twitter.com/ko2rbAJ96l
— Lyle Shelton (@LyleShelton) November 14, 2017
FamilyVoice Australia national director Ashley Saunders said 'Yes' campaigners must now deliver on their promise that a vote in favour of legalising same-sex marriage would not compromise freedom of conscience and religion.
"Australia's politicians have an important task ahead," Mr Saunders said.
"If they decide to ignore both our heritage and our biological reality by redefining marriage, then they must also enact broad and rigorous protections for the large percentage of Australians with religious or conscientious objections to it."
The party is in full swing for 'Yes' voters in Melbourne. Source: AAP
Mr Shelton called for proper protections for parental rights, freedom of speech and belief to be put in place as a result of the 'yes' vote.
Although disappointed in marriage vote, am very proud of the NO campaign team. Well done to all. Together we can find a better way. @AuConservatives
— Cory Bernardi (@corybernardi) November 14, 2017
"Those who seek to deceive parents, or deny them information about what their kids learn in school, will find themselves called to account by millions of Australian mums and dads who now know what is at stake," he said.
"Those who seek to place restrictions on freedom of speech, or freedom of belief, will face tough opposition from millions of Australians who understand how a change in law is used to silence those who disagree.
"Those who seek to push these ideologies through our schools and institutions will not get away with it so easily."
