Former Australian PM to address group who want gays to be jailed
Tony Abbott will fly to the United States tomorrow to address far-right group, Alliance Defending Freedom (ADF), to discuss “the importance of family.”
The ADF is known for opposing same-sex marriage, ending abortion and the importance of ‘traditional’ family values.
The group says its goal is to fight against the promotion of same-sex marriage, abortion and liberal values – issues they claim infringe upon individual religious freedoms.
However, the group has suffered recently due to increased pro-LGBT legislation.
“Marriage and family, therefore, are the foundation of society,” the group say on their website.
“But when culture fails to respect and promote marriage, countless individuals, particularly women, children, and the underprivileged, suffer needless emotional and material hardships,” the group’s website says.
The Southern Poverty Law Center states that the ADF battled adoption rights, fought against LGBT people serving openly in the U.S. military and involved itself in litigation that would continue to criminalise sex between consenting gay or lesbian adults around the world.
The group also offers free legal support for anyone who has been fired for being anti-gay marriage.
According to the Sydney Morning Herald, the conservative MP will be departing on Tuesday (January 26) and will be accompanied by his wife Margie.
His address will add to his record of strongly opposing LGBT rights, after he previously threatened to sack ministers in Australia who voted in favour of same-sex marriage during his leadership.
Abbott was ousted as Prime Minister in a leadership ballot against Malcolm Turnbull back in September.
However, the former leader recently confirmed that he intends to stay in parliament and will recontest his seat during this year’s federal election.
Posting a statement on Sunday, he shared his ‘excitement’ about staying in the political field.
“I have been heartened by the support and encouragement I’ve received to continue to serve the country as a member of parliament,” the statement on his website read.
“Therefore, I am renominating [sic] to represent the people of Warringah for another term as their Liberal MP.”
