This IPA Parliamentary Research Brief seeks to explain the problems with this law. Our research demonstrates that the Marriage Law Survey (Additional Safeguards) Act 2017 is bad law because it uses vague and ambiguous language to restrict freedom of speech, it creates a blasphemy law at the federal level, and it abrogates the rule of law.
While the Act has a sunset provision and ceases to have effect on 15 November 2017, for the period of its operation the Act constitutes an unreasonable limitation on Australians’ freedoms and it has created a precedent for future governments.
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Written and authorised by Simon Breheny, The Institute of Public Affairs, Level 2, 410 Collins Street, Melbourne, Victoria, 3000.
