The Liberal Party's star candidate in the Canning byelection, Andrew Hastie, has ruled out a discussion of his religious beliefs while campaigning with former prime minister John Howard.
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In a forthright statement at the start of a campaign appearance, the former SAS captain hinted that questions of his theology were being pushed by his political opponents.
Mr Hastie's father is a Presbyterian minister who it is understood believes in creationism.
Asked about his own beliefs and the possibility he shared his father's creationist views Mr Hastie declared it was off limits.
"I won't go into what people have asked me about him because frankly it's not relevant," Mr Hastie said.
"His views are his views and as an Australian in this democracy he is entitled to those views.
"I'm proud to have served alongside Australians who have been atheist, Christian, Catholic, Anglican, Buddhist, Hindu, Mormon, whatever, it doesn't matter."
The remarks were made at a sometimes bizarre campaign appearance beside a shopping centre car park, which included a heckler calling out during the press conference to challenge Mr Howard about the Abbott government's asylum seeker policies.
The 32-year-old Mr Hastie also declared he was opposed to same-sex marriage.
"On the question of gay marriage that's been put to me, I am personally opposed to same-sex marriage but I am very much in favour of the Australian people having a popular vote to decide this crucial issue," he said.
"It is a foundational issue to Australian society and therefore it should be decided by Australian people and not the political elite."
That response was given as part of an answer to a question about a blog post his wife Ruth had uploaded while she was working as a receptionist at a church in Perth.
"Her responsibilities were that of an office receptionist and in those duties she uploaded blogs as published by the pastoral staff," Mr Hastie said.
"A blog was published in relation to the issue of homosexuality and Ruth was responsible for posting that.
"She was not the author of it. Questions have been raised about that."
Mr Hastie said it was "totally unacceptable" for questions to be asked about his wife and father and said he was not interested in "question of theology or anything else because it doesn't relate to this campaign".
"I have no problem with people coming after me, but just make sure you come after me and not my family," he said.
