Letter to The Editor - Stampede Other Australians into Premature Acquiescence

to THE AUSTRALIAN
     Graham Richardson says that ‘gay marriage is an idea whose time has come’ (‘Expensive opinion poll lets PM ditch principles’, 14/8). This remark is of the same quality as claims that the monarchy is ‘out of date’. It is vivid but has no validity.
     Observation of the current controversy suggests that the nation is not ready yet to make a final decision on whether or not to adjust the legal definition of marriage. Whatever the result of the postal vote, it should be used as another tool to get an end result that takes note of the welfare of all Australians present and future and not just of gay people. The best possible compromise is yet to be articulated.
     The whole debate has many ramifications and supporters of a ‘yes’ vote should not try to ungenerously stampede other Australians into premature acquiescence.
NJ, Belgrave, Vic