Wilson wants religious protection if marriage Bill passes

O'Connor MP Rick Wilson says any same sex marriage legislation put before Parliament must contain provisions protecting faith institutions from being forced to perform ceremonies.

Mr Wilson has long maintained his opposition to same sex marriages, but told the Kalgoorlie Miner if legislation recognising the unions of same sex couples passed, institutions of all faiths must be protected.

"To force an institution that has a moral or philosophical objection to marry a gay couple, I think would be a travesty," he said.

The issue of same sex marriage was a hot topic in Federal Parliament last week after the Irish referendum on same sex marriage, which prompted renewed calls for Australia to act on the issue.

However, Mr Wilson said what other countries did, and even what Australian opinion polls said, would not move him.

"We have capital punishment in some of our neighbouring countries - that doesn't mean that I'm going to rush to support capital punishment," he said.

"I've seen polls that show that there's overwhelming support for capital punishment, that doesn't mean I would vote for a Bill for capital punishment."

Despite his opposition to same sex marriages, Mr Wilson said all couples should be treated equally in the eyes of the law.

"I support equal common law rights for couples of whatever shades … there is no question that people should be treated equally under the law," he said.

Mr Wilson encouraged anyone with views on either side of the same sex marriage debate to contact his office.