A contentious postal survey on same -sex marriage kicked off in Australia Tuesday , with ballots delivered across the vast continent ahead of an expected fractious campaign between the “yes” and “no ” sides .
While there has been growing support for marriage equality , with 70 percent of those surveyed in a new Fairfax Media poll on Tuesday backing the “yes” campaign , Australia has not yet legalised such unions despite more than a decade of political wrangling .
The conservative government chose an unusual approach — a voluntary and non- binding postal vote — after an election promise of a national plebiscite was knocked back twice by the upper house Senate .
“I encourage everyone to fill in the survey and return it. I’ ll be voting ‘yes’ as will ( my wife) Lucy ,” Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull told commercial radio this week .
Turnbull, a moderate , is opposed by some members of his conservative ruling Liberal -National coalition on legalising gay marriage, with the postal vote seen as a compromise .
The start of the ballot process followed rallies on the weekend for and against changing marriage laws , with thousands of people dressed in rainbow colours packing central Sydney on Sunday to back the “yes” vote.
Hundreds of “no ” campaigners marched on Saturday, arguing that changes would infringe on religious freedom and children ’s rights .
Up to 15 million Australians will be asked : “Should the law be changed to allow same - sex couples to marry ?” on the ballot paper and given the option of marking “yes” or “no ” boxes .
But “yes” campaigners have warned the method of collecting votes, via the postal system , could be less effective at engaging younger tech - savvy Australians , who are seen as more supportive of changing the laws .
National Party MPs have also voiced concern about Australia Post’s abilities to deliver the survey to rural and regional areas across the vast country .
The postal vote will close on November 7 , with the result released on November 15 .
If most Australians vote “yes” , the government will move for a parliamentary vote , but will not do so if there is a “no ” outcome .
The survey has shed light on how rare national non- binding plebiscites are in Australia . The votes are different in the country to referendums , which affect the constitution .
Just three have been held — two on conscription in 1916 and 1917 , and one on which song should be the national anthem in 1977.
But all occurred under the Electoral Act , unlike the postal survey which is being carried out by the Australian Bureau of Statistics .
The bureau was given the task by Canberra to avoid the need for parliamentary approval , but that meant the marriage poll did not attract advertising protections against malicious campaign material in force during elections — a key concern for activists fearing it could unleash a barrage of homophobia .
Politicians this week were scrambling to pass similar election - type safeguards restricting material that might be misleading and deceptive .
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While there has been growing support for marriage equality , with 70 percent of those surveyed in a new Fairfax Media poll on Tuesday backing the “yes” campaign , Australia has not yet legalised such unions despite more than a decade of political wrangling .
The conservative government chose an unusual approach — a voluntary and non- binding postal vote — after an election promise of a national plebiscite was knocked back twice by the upper house Senate .
“I encourage everyone to fill in the survey and return it. I’ ll be voting ‘yes’ as will ( my wife) Lucy ,” Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull told commercial radio this week .
Turnbull, a moderate , is opposed by some members of his conservative ruling Liberal -National coalition on legalising gay marriage, with the postal vote seen as a compromise .
The start of the ballot process followed rallies on the weekend for and against changing marriage laws , with thousands of people dressed in rainbow colours packing central Sydney on Sunday to back the “yes” vote.
Hundreds of “no ” campaigners marched on Saturday, arguing that changes would infringe on religious freedom and children ’s rights .
Up to 15 million Australians will be asked : “Should the law be changed to allow same - sex couples to marry ?” on the ballot paper and given the option of marking “yes” or “no ” boxes .
But “yes” campaigners have warned the method of collecting votes, via the postal system , could be less effective at engaging younger tech - savvy Australians , who are seen as more supportive of changing the laws .
National Party MPs have also voiced concern about Australia Post’s abilities to deliver the survey to rural and regional areas across the vast country .
The postal vote will close on November 7 , with the result released on November 15 .
If most Australians vote “yes” , the government will move for a parliamentary vote , but will not do so if there is a “no ” outcome .
The survey has shed light on how rare national non- binding plebiscites are in Australia . The votes are different in the country to referendums , which affect the constitution .
Just three have been held — two on conscription in 1916 and 1917 , and one on which song should be the national anthem in 1977.
But all occurred under the Electoral Act , unlike the postal survey which is being carried out by the Australian Bureau of Statistics .
The bureau was given the task by Canberra to avoid the need for parliamentary approval , but that meant the marriage poll did not attract advertising protections against malicious campaign material in force during elections — a key concern for activists fearing it could unleash a barrage of homophobia .
Politicians this week were scrambling to pass similar election - type safeguards restricting material that might be misleading and deceptive .
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