Same-sex marriage could be legal in Australia by the end of 2017

By the end of 2017, same-sex marriage could be legal in Australia.

Over 62% of eligible voters, over 10 million people, have voted in the postal survey on marriage equality.

With government insiders believing the ‘yes’ vote could be over 60%, there have been early talks on how and when to implement a bill.

Federal Brisbane MP Trevor Evans has said he is willing to keep politicians working until the vote happens.

The survey results are revealed on 15 November.

The postal survey is not legally binding and does not mean politicians have to still vote for marriage equality.

‘We have always hoped to resolve the question of same sex marriage before the end of this year,’ Evans told The Courier-Mail.

‘If the majority of Australians vote Yes, the Parliament will be able to legislate before Christmas,’ Evans said.

‘I, for one, would be happy for the Parliament to stay back and keep working until this issue is resolved, if necessary.

Legalizing same-sex marriage in Australia will require ‘good will’ from parliamentarians

‘The vast majority of parliamentarians, in both the ­Senate and the House of Representatives, have pledged to support a Private Member’s Bill, if the majority of Australians vote Yes.

‘It will be good for the country to resolve this issue before the end of this year, so we can continue to focus on other important priorities for our nation, such as the economy, the Budget, national security and energy.’

Christopher Pyne, a government frontbencher, also told Sky News: ‘With goodwill from all sides of the debate, I’ve got no doubt we can pass it out of the House of Representatives and then pass it in the Senate by the end of the sitting period.’

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