‘Yes’ result to trigger immediate same-sex marriage debate

SAME-SEX marriage could be debated in parliament this week if the postal survey returns a ‘yes’ result and advocates have their way.

Nearly eight in 10 Australians who received survey forms have had their say, with a result to be announced on Wednesday morning, leaving politicians scrambling to predict the next move.

“If there’s a yes vote on Wednesday there will be a private members bill which will be facilitated by the government coming forward for a vote on the floor of the parliament,” Liberal frontbencher Christopher Pyne told Sky News yesterday.

It will then be up to the parliament whether a bill is passed by Christmas.

In Victoria, public servants will be offered counselling and a “supported space” when the results of the marriage equality survey are released Wednesday mornin.

Two “specialist LGBTI counsellors” will be on hand for the bureaucrats who find the announcement “particularly challenging”. on