The Prime Minister of Australia has confirmed that the government will legalise same-sex marriage if the Australian people choose marriage equality in a federal plebiscite.
The center-right government has announced that if they are re-elected this year, they will hold a public vote on the gay marriage.
Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull, who supports gay marriage, told Melbourne Radio 3AW: “If the majority of people voting in the plebiscite vote in favor of it, then same-sex marriage will be legalised.”
A poll of voters in the prime minister’s own constituency determined that a majority would say yes to marriage equality going straight through parliament and would rather a plebiscite not take place.
A federal plebiscite is similar to a referendum, but carries no legal weight, would cost about $160 million and has been called a ‘stalling tactic’ by pro-equality groups.
Australian Marriage Equality national director, Rodney Croome, said: “Malcolm Turnbull knew from the start that a plebiscite was an expensive and divisive attempt to delay marriage equality and now it’s clear his constituents agree with that.”
