BILL Shorten's reasons for opposing the same sex marriage plebiscite shows he has faith neither in free speech nor the wisdom and good nature of his fellow citizens. 
"I think we've seen with two terrible events in the last week (the Orlando gay massacre and the murder of UK MP Jo Cox) that hate and extremism does exist in modern societies," Shorten (below) said at Friday night's news.com.au Facebook debate.
"I don't want to give the haters the chance to come out from underneath the rock." Moderator Joe Hildebrand confronted his illiberal sanctimony: "Do you really think that level of hatred would emerge in Australia in a plebiscite? Do you really think the "No" campaign would be talking about massacring gay people?" To which sensible question Shorten replied: "I don't understand homophobia." Oh, what a hero. What a phony, more like it.
Shorten insults Australians by implying we are incapable of debate without resorting to hateful rhetoric or violence. He seems to live in a curtain-twitching world of safe spaces and trigger warnings, where we must not discuss anything contentious in case someone is offended.
Shorten also insults the emotional resilience of gay and lesbian people to say they should be insulated from the other side of the argument.
No such fear of free speech from Malcolm Turnbull, even though he supports same-sex marriage and would prefer the decision be made by parliament, despite having promised to hold a plebiscite."I have more confidence in the decency and the responsibility of Australians," he said. Bravo.