THE controversial anti same-sex marriage flyer advising voters to put Ballarat MP Catherine King last was distributed by local surgeon Frederick (Peter) Denton.

Ms King said her office had raised the flyer with the Australian Electoral Commission.

“This is a vicious flyer which I believe is utterly inappropriate in terms of its written content, illustration and message,” Ms King said. “I am greatly suspicious that there is a party political impetus behind it.”

Dr Denton told The Courier yesterday that he was not affiliated with any political party and any suggestions he was were untrue.

“(Same-sex marriage) is a major concern of mine,” Dr Denton said.

“A child growing up needs a mother to develop their maternal side and a father as its male image.”

On one side of the pamphlet, it shows a sad young girl saying, “Catherine King voted for same-sex marriage, but man-woman marriage is special because ‘I need my mum and dad.’ When you vote, put Catherine King last”.

The other side says, “same-sex marriage will mean same-sex education in kindergartens and schools” with a picture of a black board listing same-sex marriage, gay, lesbian, bisexual and transexual under a sex education heading.

Dr Denton said homosexual relationships were not natural.

“Sodomy is not a natural sexual act,” he said.

“Politicians are talking about the stolen generation but don’t realise they’re creating another stolen generation – children being brought up without a mother and father.”

He said he believed the issue would become less topical after the election.

“When a new government is formed on Saturday it will die down,” he said. “Right now it is being promoted by a small and well-positioned minority.

“The issue will die down but no doubt it will come back.”

He said it would be an issue for schools as the campaigns were for marriage equality.

“Equality means schools would have to make it equal in their teachings too. We see this in other countries that have legalised same-sex marriage.”

Author: Nicole Cairns
Publication: The Courier
Date: 4 September 2013