High Court upholds same-sex marriage postal survey, to be sent out from September 12

A SURVEY asking 16 million Australians if they support legalising same-sex marriage will be posted out from next Tuesday after the High Court approved its validity.

The High Court has approved the validity of a same-sex marriage postal vote. Picture: AFP

• Susie O’Brien: Same-sex marriage no voters should stop pretending they care about the kids
• Andrew Bolt: Debate won’t end well
• Andrew Hastie: Why I’m voting no

A SURVEY to ask 16 million Australians if they support legalising same-sex marriage will be posted out from next Tuesday after the High Court yesterday approved its validity.

MORE THAN 15,000 RALLY IN MELBOURNE TO BACK MARRIAGE EQUALITY

Forms and envelopes have been printed, and a $15 million advertising blitz to tell voters how they can participate will begin on Sunday.

Yes and No vote advocates immediately launched new TV and radio advertisements in their campaigns.

Australians will be asked to return the voluntary survey by October 27. The result will be announced on November 15.

Same-sex marriage advocates after the High Court sitting in Melbourne. Picture: Getty Images

If a majority supports same-sex marriage, Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull has promised to introduce a Bill in parliament to legalise it, which he believes will “sail through”.

The full bench of the High Court unanimously dismissed two challenges to the $122 million survey: one from ­Tasmanian independent MP Andrew Wilkie, advocate Felicity Marlowe and the Parents and Friends of Lesbians and Gays; and the other from Australian Marriage Equality and Greens senator Janet Rice. Legal costs were awarded against them.

The Prime Minister looked relieved after the court’s decision was announced during Question Time.

“(My wife) Lucy and I will be voting Yes and I will be encouraging others to vote Yes ... Above all, I encourage every Australian to have their say,” Mr Turnbull said.

He dismissed Opposition Leader Bill Shorten’s request to sign a joint letter in support, questioning whether that “would actually increase the case for the Yes vote”.

Bill Shorten discusses the High Court’s decision as a rainbow appears at Parliament House in Canberra. Picture: Kym Smith

The Labor leader thanked those who went to court to “avoid the pain and hurt and vile things  which  will be said”.

“If this survey must be, then we must win it. I won’t be on the sidelines in this debate, nor will the Labor Party and my colleagues,” Mr Shorten said.

Australian Christian Lobby managing director Lyle Shelton said the outcome of the postal vote could have an impact on “free speech, freedom of religion, and the rights of parents to have a say on whether their children are taught radical LGBTQI sex and gender programs at school”.

The Equality Campaign’s executive director, Tiernan Brady, said: “This is a vote about the worth, dignity and status of members of our family, friends, workmates and neighbours.”

Political leaders urged both sides of the debate to make their case respectfully over the next six weeks.

Chief Justice Susan Kiefel said the seven judges would publish their reasons later.

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