Australian political leaders, including Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull, have come out in support of a campaign for same-sex marriage. More than 20,000 people gathered in Sydney to campaign ahead of a non-binding postal vote on changing Australia’s marriage act. Mr. Turnbull made a surprise appearance and speech at the launch of the New South Wales Yes campaign.
Opposition leader Bill Shorten then addressed the crowd at the main rally.
The non-binding vote to gauge support for changing Australia’s Marriage Act will be sent out 12 September, with a result expected in November. The survey will not have the power to legalize same-sex marriage but it could lead to a vote in parliament if the majority of Australians support the change.
The postal plebiscite has been criticized by opponents as an unnecessary delay in resolving the debate, which they say could be settled immediately in parliament. The Prime Minister previously said he would personally be voting in favor of same-sex marriage, but has not publicly campaigned prior to the surprise speech on Sunday.
“Throughout my public life I’ve sought to ensure same-sex couples are not discriminated against and their entitlements, be it in respect of medical benefits, taxation, superannuation or employment, are no different to those afforded to heterosexual couples. Why then shouldn’t those same rights now be extended to marriage?”
Mr. Turnbull pointed out that 23 other countries had already legalized same-sex marriage. “In any one of those nations, has the sky fallen in? Has life as we know it come to a halt? Has traditional marriage as we know it been undermined? The answer is no,” he said.
Meanwhile, Mr. Shorten, who is the leader of the Australian Labor Party, told campaigners he anticipated the yes vote to win in the postal survey. “We’ve got one last mountain to climb before we make marriage equality a reality. Let’s climb it together, today,” he said.
Mr. Shorten’s party have been opposed to the plebiscite vote launched by Mr. Turnbull’s government, criticizing its A$122m (£75m; $97m) cost, its non-binding nature, and arguing it could prompt hate-filled campaigns. The High Court of Australia last week dismissed two separate objections to the poll by same-sex marriage advocates.
Australia is likely to have legal same-sex marriage soon.
“Likewise also, as it was in the days of Lot…” Luke 17:36.
Comments
Emanuel
Wednesday September 20th, 2017 at 02:00 AMI can’t believe what this world is turning up. How people are allowed to support such disgusting, degrading thing.
Dianne Turner
Friday September 22nd, 2017 at 12:38 AMI have voted Yes, not only for same-sex marriage but on the grounds that many good men and women gave their lives to keep Australia free, to give us the right to freedoms many other nations can only dream of.
I voted Yes because Jesus Christ said…”Love another..”, and “..Let he who is without sin cast the first stone…”.
I voted Yes as I believe in love.
Angela Smart
Saturday September 23rd, 2017 at 01:00 AMWhen Jesus was on earth He did not get involved with politics nor reprove the evils that existed around him, He had a more important mandate and I believe we have little time left to warm the world of His soon return.
Shaun
Sunday September 24th, 2017 at 03:06 AMwell good on ya Dianne Turner, but the Scriptures CLEARLY state that homosexuality is an ABONINATION in the sight of God and it was He who instigated the first marriage between Man and Woman not same sexes. Regardless of the the love factor to justify your decision, we are to OBEY all of His precepts and laws so cast your stone please. I’ll leave mine on the ground and try to follow the Word of God and what He deems unfit in law to avoid. SSM is another way to demoralize not only the populous and restore Sodom in modern days it also tramples the scripture which you so boldly claim. Yes God loves us all regardless and wants to save every individual but He abhors sin and every aspect of it and that includes SSM and this sexual garbage being pushed upon society. To be plain… God loves the sinner but hates the sin. It’s not hard to figure out what it means, so to vote yes, is your free choice, but I suggest you study a tad more and look into what you’re voting yes to because dear the truth is well and truly covered over by the governments to keep people blind. God bless