Katy Gallagher (ACT, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Hansard source

Father's Day is a fantastic tradition that honours the role that father figures play in our lives and, particularly, in the lives of children. Free TV has clarified in a statement that it asked for an authorisation to be included at the end of a proposed advertisement by Dads4Kids, but Dads4Kids declined, so the advertisement did not run. During debate in the other place just last night on a government bill to expand authorisation requirements, authorisations were described by the government's own members as 'necessary to ensure our democracy'. Dads4Kids actively advocates against marriage equality and LGBTIQ rights. At a time when Australians are about to participate in a postal survey on marriage equality, it is understandable why Free TV believed it was appropriate for it to include an authorisation. If anyone is politicising Father's Day, it's the senators who have moved this motion.