Political leaders argue for equality

MALCOLM Turnbull and Bill Shorten have thrown their support behind the ‘yes’ vote in the same-sex marriage debate, as thousands turned out for rallies in support around the country.

The Opposition Leader passionately told a packed Sydney event that he was determined to see Australia allow gay couples to marry.

He said he expected the ‘yes’ vote to prevail in the postal survey, but not because of politicians.

“It will be because Australia has said it’s time to make marriage equality a reality. I’m very optimistic,” Mr Shorten told the rally.

The prime minister told like-minded Liberals and Nationals yesterday it was a question of “fairness”.

Addressing the NSW Liberals and Nationals for the YES campaign launch in Sydney, Mr Turnbull said this change had already happened in many countries around the world,

“In any one of those nations has the sky fallen in, has life as we know it ground to a halt, has traditional marriage been undermined? The answer is plainly no,” he said.

Meanwhile, Coalition members rallied at the Melbourne Town Hall yesterday to launch the Victorian Liberals and Nationals for YES campaign for the upcoming samesex postal survey.

Former state Liberal leader and now Melbourne Lord Mayor Robert Doyle told the rally people should be free to marry the person they love.

State Opposition Leader Matthew Guy has long supported the ‘yes’ vote.

“I just hope that it’s the vote that prevails, but I do hope also for a sensible and mature debate from all sides and the kind of debate that does not oppress each other from having a mature and sensible debate in this country,” he said.

All Victorians should make sure they cast their vote, Premier Daniel Andrews said as he implored for a yes vote.

He also repeated his criticisms for a postal survey even being held because of the cost and potentially harmful debate, saying parliamentarians were paid “pretty well” to just get on and pass legislation without the ballot.