Australians vote in favour of same sex marriage

On November 15, the results of a nation wide survey showed that Australians are in favour of same sex marriage. Since September the 16 million Australians registered to vote were invited to participate in the “Australian Marriage Law Postal Survey.” 12.7 million, or 79.5% of the voting population, responded with roughly 61% in favour of and 38% against the legalization of same- sex marriage. Unlike typical electoral endeavours in Australia, voting was not compulsory. This was because the survey was not a formal election administered by the Australian government, but rather conducted and administered by the Australian Bureau of Statistics. Therefore, the results are not binding. However, Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull has promised to legalize same- sex marriage by the end of the year. In response to the results, Turnbull said, “They voted ‘ yes’ for fairness, they voted ‘ yes’ for commitment, they voted ‘ yes’ for love. And now it is up to us here in the Parliament of Australia to get on with it.” Despite the results, the two month long survey period heightened political tensions. There has long been a favorable public consensus on the topic of same- sex marriage in Australia. Many members of the LGBTQ community felt that the survey was unnecessary and might cause the community more harm than good. “No” campaign mailers contained warnings about “radical sex- education” for children that would follow a “yes” victory. These mailers also included concerns about the supression of free speech and religious freedom. At one point during the survey period, swastikas were found spray painted on rainbow flags.