LETTER TO THE EDITOR:
From pastors Keith Walsingham and Randall Green, Reality Christian Fellowship, Traralgon; Ps Graham Gunning, Kingsway Christian Centre, Sale; Ps Simon Fink, Family Life Fellowships, Newborough; Ps Andrew Newman, Eternity Church, Moe; Ps Peter Muir, Yarram Community Church; Ps Michelle and Allan Worthy, Life Centre, Morwell; Ps Tom Scott, Latrobe City Christian Church, Traralgon; Ps Pol Mijares, Moe Hope Christian Community, Moe; Ps Brian Heath, City Builders Church, Sale; Ps Glenda Noordam, Moe New Life Christian Centre; Ps Steve Adams, Maffra Community Church, Bishop Stuart Lawson, Anglican Episcopal Church International, Sale; Ps Robert Hayman, Sale Baptist Church; Ps Neville Ivory, Morwell Family Church; Ps Chris Lansdowne, Traralgon City Church; Ps Graham Coates, Gippsland Christian Church, Moe:
GIPPSLAND MHR Darren Chester has not consulted broadly enough with the Gippsland faith community before making his announcement supporting same-sex marriage on Tuesday night.
During the last week, several Gippsland ministers have been seeking a meeting with Mr Chester to emphasise the importance of traditional marriage for society, but no meeting offer has been forthcoming from our MP.
On May 27, Darren Chester was saying he did not know how he would vote on the issue of gay marriage.
He said he was waiting to see the detail of Bill Shorten’s same-sex marriage bill.
It was apparent last week Bill Shorten’s bill provides no relevant protection for children.
Has Mr Chester considered what protections there would be for the rights of children, provided to gay couples (and conceived through artificial reproductive technology), to be allowed to know their biological mother or father?
The ministers also said they want to know what protections there would be for those in the wedding industry who, because of cultural or religious beliefs, decided not to offer their services for the same sex wedding.
It would appear that under Mr Shorten’s bill they would be punished under anti-discrimination laws.
Mr Chester’s Facebook consultation of his electorate on the issue, which began on May 27, has been unrealistically short and unscientific.
When Mr Chester consulted his electorate on this issue, by way of a “have your say” survey, more than 3000 people responded. As his website currently reveals, 66 per cent of respondents were then against same-sex marriage.
The local ministers are urging Mr Chester to conduct some round table consultation with the delegation of ministers that are currently seeking a meeting with him and to properly address their concerns and those of their members.
