Cracks emerge over marriage protections

Malcolm Turnbull. Photo: Getty Images
Malcolm Turnbull. Photo: Getty Images

Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull has reaffirmed his confidence same-sex marriage will be legalised by Christmas, as cracks emerge within his government about the urgency of including religious protections.

Parliament will not sit again until next week, but the topic is likely to dominate debate as federal politicians plot their next steps following the introduction of a private member's bill in the Senate last week.

Conservatives want a range of protections for civil celebrants and religious groups, as well as for parents who want to pull their children out of school lessons which jar with their faith-based views.

The prime minister doesn't expect fresh divisions to put the brakes on the bill which has cross-party support.

"Ultimately we know we have got a very clear direction from our masters, the Australian people," Mr Turnbull told Triple M today.

"We're going to do everything we can to achieve it before Christmas."

Leading conservative figures Mathias Cormann and Peter Dutton have suggested these issues could be dealt with next year, allowing same-sex marriage to be legislated before Christmas.

But Treasurer Scott Morrison and Resources Minister Matt Canavan are demanding the religious protections be included into the marriage bill being debated.

Conservative frontbencher Michael Sukkar said he was confident legislation delivering protections would pass parliament this year.

"There's no reason for this to drag out. I can't see a circumstance where we can't get the best of both worlds," Mr Sukkar told Sky News today.

Opposition Leader Bill Shorten said Labor was open to a discussion about religious freedom, but the two issues didn't need to be dealt with at the same time.

"There should be no excuses, no delays and no watering down of the current anti-discrimination laws on marriage equality," Mr Shorten told reporters in Melbourne today.

Liberal senator Dean Smith's bill protects religious ministers from officiating same-sex marriages.

But Senator Canavan wants to insert sections of international covenants around freedom of thought, conscience, religion and belief into the legislation.

Gay rights campaigner Rodney Croome has cautioned parliament against entrenching these freedoms in the Marriage Act, saying it could override state and federal discrimination laws.

Liberal MP Tim Wilson, who supports same-sex marriage, has warned some of the changes being floated by his coalition colleagues may not be constitutional, including the amendments relating to schools.

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