NEW England MP Tony Windsor has reaffirmed his opposition to same-sex marriage after a parliamentary committee on the issue presented its findings on Monday.
Mr Windsor told The Express his decision stemmed from the belief that marriage’s definition came from a Biblical context “rather than one that’s simply come from the dictionary”.
“Right or wrong, some people in the electorate will be upset with my decision, and others will be pleased with it, but that’s where I stand,” he said.
Mr Windsor said homophobia was not the reason behind his decision, claiming it remained unclear whether allowing same-sex couples to marry would be a purely symbolic move.
“I’m not a homophobe by any means, I have no issue with gay people and have a lot of gay friends,” he said. “In fact the people I know are split on whether they need marriage or whether it’s a symbolic move.”
It comes after Anglican and Catholic leaders read a letter against same-sex marriage to parishioners across Sydney on Sunday.
The Express understands that the Armidale Catholic Diocese will receive copies of the letters, signed by the Archbishop of Sydney, and will distribute them to parishes in the coming weeks.
Australian Marriage Equality national convenor Alex Greenwich welcomed the campaign over the weekend, claiming it would damage the credibility of church leaders and strengthen support for changes to the Marriage Act.
- Stephen Jeffery
