Ref: http://www.theaustralian.com.au/opinion/greenleft-stifling-democracy-with-threats-tantrums-on-plebiscite/news-story/56bc52059127dd9f31e3d85c1b11fe06

In the gay marriage debate, the Labor Party and Greens want to ­silence public reason to impose their will on citizens.
They believe the state should rule the citizen, not the reverse. They regard the will of the people as a threat to their power. Thus, they seek to deny the Australian people the opportunity to engage in public reason on the question that forms the foundation of a healthy society: what is the meaning of marriage and family?

The proposed plebiscite is an opportunity for the Australian people to revitalise democracy by engaging in a process of public reason as we consider the meaning of marriage and family in the 21st century. It is a positive opportunity to learn from each other and challenge ourselves as we exercise reason, logic, free thought and speech to question the most fundamental social institution of society.