Rallies for same-sex marriage in Australia

THOUSANDS of Australians dressed in rainbow colours rallied yesterday in support of same-sex marriage ahead of a postal ballot, as polls showed the “yes” campaign’s lead shrinking despite backing from the nation’s top political leaders.

Carrying vibrant posters and calling for marriage equality, the marchers packed central Sydney and Brisbane two days before the ballot papers were set to be mailed out to some 15 millions Australians.

Marriage equality has attracted popular support in recent years, but such unions are yet to be legalised in the country amid political wrangling. In a bid to resolve the issue, the conservative government moved to hold a postal ballot after its preferred option of a national referendum was twice rejected by the upper house.

“If a majority votes yes, then we will ensure a ... bill is presented to the parliament which will legalise samesex marriage,” Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull yesterday told those conservative Liberal and National politicians who support the “yes” campaign.

But the success of the “yes” vote is not certain, with a poll conducted for a major same-sex marriage advocacy group showing that support for the change was falling.

The poll, conducted between late August and early September, showed 58.4% of those surveyed supported a “yes” vote, down six percentage points from just two weeks earlier.

Support for the “no” vote increased by two percentage points to 31.4%, while the “unsure” vote rose by three percentage points to 10.2%. The survey also showed that turnout for the voluntary ballot could be very low, and at just 58% of those aged 18-34 – the age group viewed as more receptive to gay marriage.

Labour opposition leader Bill Shorten, who supports the change, told the Sydney rally the ballot was about “our identity as a nation”. “Do we believe in equal care for all, equal rights for all? .... We can win this thing. We can climb this mountain.”

Turnbull, a political moderate who supports marriage equality, is opposed by some in his own LiberalNational governing coalition.

“No” campaign supporters argue that changing marriage laws would infringe on religious freedom and children’s rights.

Andrew Pasco, in Sydney for the “yes” campaign rally yesterday, said he was worried the polarising debate could discourage moderate Australians from voting. “I am genuinely concerned that as the conversations get driven to extremities on both the left and right, that that will also alienate the people in the middle who aren’t directly impacted to speak up and have a voice,” he said.

The postal vote will close on November 7, with the result known later that month. — AFP