A majority of Australians have voted in support of same sex marriage. A significant 61.6 per cent of people who voted yes to the question “Should the law be changed to allow same-sex couples to marry?”
The poll was carried out by the Australian Bureau of Statistics. Though it spells good news, it is not legally binding.
The poll saw an 80 per cent turnout. With the majority voting for same sex marriage, it will put pressure on the government to act. The Prime Minister of the country, Malcolm Turnbull, has said that he aims to have legislation change the Marriage Act, and passed through parliament before Christmas.
“It is our job now to get on with it, get on with it and get this done. It is fair,” the prime minister told reporters in Canberra. “The people have voted yes for marriage equality. Now it is our job to deliver it.”
Most of the parliament has said it will vote for same sex marriage. If that happens, then the legislation will be easy to pass. However, 30 per cent of the politicians in both houses said that they had reservations about the law. They even failed to tell pollsters about their voting intentions. Seven MPs have said they will vote no, regardless of the majority.
The prime minister supports same sex marriage.
A United Nations committee has criticised Australia for putting gays and lesbians “through an unnecessary and divisive public opinion poll.” It has said that Australia should legislate for marriage equality regardless of the survey’s outcome
A survey commissioned by Sydney University’s US Studies Center found support for gay marriage was stronger in Australia than in the United States, where it has been legal since 2015. In the US, 48 per cent support marriage equality, 40 per cent oppose it and 12 per cent are undecided.
Here are a few reactions from Twitter. The Twitterati are rejoicing at Australia's decision.
Now let's hope that the law gets passed, and that another country legalises gay marriage.
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