What had promised to be a fiery team debate on gay marriage was short-circuited yesterday by the pullout of the pro-family side.
State Liberal MP Michael Ferguson, pictured right, Australian Christian Lobby managing director Jim Wallace and Australian Family Association spokeswoman Terri Kelleher said yesterday they were withdrawing from the Same Sex Marriage Debate, to be held by the University of Tasmania in Launceston on July 28.
Mr Ferguson said the three were wary of the “gay hate” blast against him by Labor MP Brenton Best and had changed their minds when they learned who their opponents would be.
The other team of gay and lesbian rights advocate Rodney Croome, Greens leader Nick McKim and author Danielle Wood are hoping the university can find new opponents.
Mr Ferguson also said he would not pursue legal action in relation to Mr Best’s “discredited outburst”, backed by Premier Lara Giddings, that linked his support of a family-values organisation with a gay-hate bashing.
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