Agriculture Minister Barnaby Joyce has warned that Asia could see Australia as "decadent" if same-sex marriage is legalised, potentially damaging negotiations and our trading relationship in the region.
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But the Australian-based leaders of the Buddhist and Hindu religions, which are two of the most popular religions in Australia and throughout Asia, have questioned Mr Joyce's claim, arguing that if Australia were to legalise same-sex marriage it would make little difference to our relations with northern neighbours.
While Mr Joyce said Australia should not necessarily take its cues or cultural values from its near neighbours, his comments echo fellow cabinet minister Eric Abetz' warning last week that Australia should not legalise gay marriage because no Asian country has done so.
"I think that what we have to understand is that when we go there [Asia], there are judgments, whether you like it or not, that are made about us and they see in how we negotiate with them whether they see us as - whether they see us as decadent," he said.
Asked directly if Australia embracing gay marriage would be seen as decadent, Mr Joyce said: "I think in some instances they would, yes."
However, Hindu Council of Australia president Nihal Agar said while his organisation had supported the traditional view, that marriage was between a man and a woman, "we also support freedom".
Two years ago, after extensive consultation, the organisation decided that "if it comes to voting, we would support same-sex marriage" because "there is nothing in our scripture, either positive or negative, about it, there is no mention of it".
Asked if a change of law would damage Australia's relationship with Asia, Mr Agar said: "No, I don't think that it would.I can only speak as an individual...but my personal view is that it is not going to affect relations with India, at least".
Federation of Australian Buddhist Councils president Kim Hollow said his organisation "absolutely" supported same sex marriage, after considering its position several years ago and dismissed suggestions Australia would be seen as "decadent".
"I think he [Mr Joyce] is drawing a really long bow there. I think I would stick my neck out and say I don't think there would be any reason why there would be any detrimental impact to trade relations, for example," he said.
The Australian Bureau of Statistics' 2011 census found there were about 530,000 Buddhists in Australia — a larger number than the proportion of Muslims, Jews, or Lutheran, Baptists and Pentecostal Christians — and 275,000 Hindus.
Coalition divisions over the issue of same-sex marriage erupted last week after it emerged a marriage equality bill moved by Liberal MP Warren Entsch, seconded by Labor MP Terri Butler and backed by a multi-party grouping, will be introduced when Parliament resumes in August.
Prime Minister Tony Abbott has slapped down moves to introduce the controversial social reform, amid calls for cabinet ministers who do not back current Liberal policy, which defines marriage as solely between a man and woman, to quit.
Mr Entsch, for his part, has vowed to press ahead with the bill despite the furore.
But on Sunday, Mr Joyce told the ABC's Insiders that "I don't believe we should be redefining marriage" and that "marriage for me is in the traditional form".
Marriage should be "inherently there for the support of children or given the prospect of children or the opportunity of children. I think that every kid has a right, absolute right to know her or his mother and father and also has - should be given the greatest opportunity to know their biological mother and father."
Social Services Minister Scott Morrison told the Bolt Report that same-sex marriage was not a priority for the government and suggested a plebiscite might be the way forward.
"If you talk to the many ethnic communities across Australia, the linkage between their strong beliefs — and it doesn't matter whether they're Christian beliefs or Hindu beliefs or Muslim beliefs — and the connection between that and their culture is very… is very deeply felt," he said.
Australian Marriage Equality national director Rodney Croome, however, has told Fairfax Media that "to say children are better off brought up by a mum and dad reinforces prejudice against the children raised by same-sex couples and is just plain wrong".
"The horse has bolted on gay parenting in Australia with about 20 per cent of Australia's 50,000 same-sex couples raising children."
