2017/12: Should Australia legalise same sex marriage?
Introduction to the media issue
Video clip at right:On August 9, 2017, Channel 7 News reported that all Australians on the electoral roll would have the opportunity to participate in a postal ballot to indicate their view on same-sex marriage. If you cannot see this clip, it will be because video is blocked by your network. To view the clip, access from home or from a public library, or from another network which allows viewing of video clips.
What they said...
'There's only one form of love that is marriage, and that is between a man and a woman'
Mark Coleridge, Catholic Archbishop of Brisbane
'Most people recognise what our marriage laws don't: gay and lesbian Australians are just like everybody else... Our relationships are like other relationships'
Labor Opposition Senator, Penny Wong
The controversy at a glance
A voluntary Australian Marriage Law Postal Survey is being held between 12 September and 7 November, 2017, to ascertain respondents' views on whether same-sex marriage should be introduced under Australian law. The final tally of votes from the postal plebiscite poll is expected to be completed by November 15, 2017.
If the survey shows that a majority of respondents favour same-sex marriage, Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull has promised that a private members bill seeking to legalise same-sex marriage will be introduced in the House of Representatives in late November or early December. Should such a bill go before Parliament both the Government and the Labor Opposition will allow their representatives a conscience vote on the issue.
If the survey results in a 'no' vote, Turnbull has said no bill will proceed to a parliamentary vote.
The debate surrounding this postal survey has seen vigorous campaigning for and against same-sex marriage. The Prime Minister and others have expressed concern that the debate remains respectful.