Memorandum submitted by Eva Abe (CJ&I 149)

 

Dear Members of the Committee,

 

I would like to raise serious concerns abut the proposed amendment to the above mentioned bill which aims to criminalise free speech relating to sexual behaviour.

 

The rationale for this move is not at all clear because as the law stands all people are protected from assault and threatening words or behaviour.

 

The motivation of those lobbying for these amendments seems to be a desire to impose approval for their choice of sexual behaviour on all law abiding citizens with the force of government approved legislation.  This is the year 2007 and people raising families in a committed heterosexual marriage have not lobbied for this legislation inspite of the rise of alternative sexual lifestyle choices such as same-sex relationships and sexual promiscuity.

 

Since all behaviour is a choice, whether sexual or otherwise, surely approval of such is also a matter of choice and must not be imposed by law in a democracy.

 

Surely just as one person chooses to participate in and promote same-sex relationships (and possibly denounce heterosexual marriage) so too I have the right to participate in and promote biblical marriage and raise the dangers of alternative sexual lifestyles.

 

In light of these above concerns I would urge the Committee to uphold freedom of speech and to recognise that the proposed amendment is not only an unnecessary measure, but that it would endanger the freedoms that we now enjoy.

 

Thank you for taking the time to read my submission.

 

October 2007