Australia: Conservative Liberals preparing back-up marriage bill, by  Sarah Martin.

THE push for gay marriage is threatening to ignite open warfare among WA Liberals, with conservatives preparing their own Bill seeking sweeping protection for “conscientious objectors” opposed to change.

A group of conservative MPs including WA Liberals Ian Goodenough and Andrew Hastie are preparing a Bill to change the Marriage Act in the event of a Yes vote.

It will include sweeping provisions to protect religious freedoms and those who oppose same-sex marriage “beyond the ceremony”. …

Mr Goodenough saidthe group had begun working on the legislation amid concern that the safeguards proposed by WA Liberal senator Dean Smith did not go far enough.

hat-tip Stephen Neil