Individuals will no longer have the right to object, parents will lose the right to teach their children what they believe to be right or wrong and to send their children to educational institutions which reflect their own moral convictions. Children will lose the right to have the balanced experience of both a mother and a father and religious freedoms will be seriously curtailed.

And just why is this being thrust upon us at this time? One can only assume for crass political expediency. Or is it that our political leaders are simply unable to work around the media - that great bastion of open thought and free expression - which mercilessly hounds anyone with a different view or simply remains silent on views to which it is opposed in order to create the impression that all are in agreement.

And what of the Australian constitution which has responsibility for matters relating to marriage? Given that when the constitution was adopted homosexual activity was illegal, it is impossible to see how marriage could have meant anything other than a relationship between a woman and a man for life. If the constitution needs to be clarified or changed, then do it by referendum, not via redefinition by a slender majority at a point in time in the Federal Parliament. 

If these issues must be adopted, then do it in a way that does not remove personal, parental, educational or religious freedoms and allow them to sink or swim on their own merits. Once adopted there will be no turning back even if they prove to be a social disaster.

LAST week I spent several days in Wagga Base Hospital.

At first I was in emergency, next I was in acute care before I was moved to the coronary care unit because I needed a heart stent replacement.

I have nothing but praise for the selfless staff who cared for me. They were all sensitive and professional health care staff and Wagga is indeed fortunate to have such staff.

Although I live in Sydney and my relations and friends have told me to have my next heart attack in Sydney so they can visit me, I do not think I could have better hospital treatment than I experienced in Wagga.

I WOULD like to thank Marie at the Riverina Cancer Care Centre for all of the help she gave me in the setting up of the trial that I am starting. She could not have been more helpful.

POPE Francis has added his voice to man-made global warming. The leader of over a billion Catholics has spoken and we have to listen. He seems to be convinced that we are destroying God’s earth.

How can the Pope be so sure he’s correct?  Perhaps more need to have “visions” from on high. How will the Pope’s views affect the upcoming climate chin-wag later this year in Europe? No doubt we’ll hear more from this “visionary” Pope in the coming weeks.

What would happen if someone had a “vision” stating that man-made climate change is a crock of you-know-what? Would anyone take any notice of them?