Malcolm Turnbull throws support behind same-sex marriage

THE streets of Sydney have been filled with rainbow flags and signs screaming “yes” as thousands gather to show their support for same-sex marriage.

Protesters gather for a rally in support for marriage equality in Sydney on Sunday. Picture: Paul Miller/AAP

THOUSAND of Australians have gathered to march in support of same-sex marriage, flooding Sydney streets with rainbow flags and “yes” signs.

The crowd of advocates descended on the CBD on Sunday afternoon ahead of a march to Circular Quay on Sydney’s iconic Oxford Street.

Opposition Leader Bill Shorten kicked off the rally addressing the colourful crowd spilling out of Sydney’s Town Hall, saying he was determined to see Australia allow gay couples to marry.

He said he expected the Yes vote to prevail in the postal survey, but not because of politicians.

“It will be because Australia has said it’s time to may make marriage equality a reality. I’m very optimistic,” Mr Shorten told the rally.

Federal opposition leader Bill Shorten speaks at a rally in support for marriage equality in Sydney on Sunday. Picture: Paul Miller/AAP

Ahead of his speech Mr Shorten urged marriage equality activists to turn their disappointment the survey was going ahead into a determination to win it.

“We have a chance to not only make marriage equality a reality in this country, we have a chance for Australia to send a message to the world that Australia is a modern country, we are a country which believes that all people are equal,” he told reporters.

“We’ve got one last mountain to climb to make marriage equality a reality; let’s climb it together.”

Earlier on Sunday, Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull threw his support behind the “yes” campaign with a surprise appearance to a gathering of supporters from the Liberal and National parties in Sydney.

Protesters gather for a rally in support for marriage equality in Sydney on Sunday. Picture: Paul Miller/AAP

Mr Turnbull’s surprise address to the NSW Liberals and Nationals for YES campaign launch in Sydney this morning came at short notice.

While the PM has consistently said he would vote in favour of same-sex marriage, he has been shy about confirming whether he would campaign publicly.

Addressing an enthusiastic crowd at the Australian Museum, Mr Turnbull said he was voting yes in the upcoming postal vote because “fundamentally this is a question of fairness”.

Mr Turnbull listed English-speaking countries around the world that have already legalised same-sex marriage.

“This change has already happened around the world,” he said.

“Now, in any one of those nations has the sky fallen in? Has life as we know it ground to a halt? Has traditional marriage been undermined? The answer is plainly no.”

Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull has thrown his support behind same-sex marriage. Picture: Paul Miller/AAP

Survey forms with the question “Should the law be changed to allow same-sex couples to marry?” will be mailed to voters from this week.

They’ll have the option to tick a “yes” or “no” box.

The result of the survey will be announced on November 15, followed by a vote in parliament on a private member’s bill if there is a majority “yes” result.

Similar marriage equality marches are being organised around Australia with a rally taking place in Brisbane this afternoon and another in Melbourne.

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