ABS reveals seventy seven percent of Australians have returned marriage forms
The Australian Bureau of Statistics has revealed the latest statistics on the marriage postal survey, sharing that a massive 77 percent of Australians have taken part in the process.
The Equality Campaign has welcomed the latest estimate of forms received and reminded YES voters that forms can be posted this week and still arrive in time.
So far it’s estimated that 12.3 million Australians have shared their opinion on whether same sex couples should be allowed to wed. The latest figures are an increase of 400,000 from the previous weekly update from the Australian Bureau of Statistics.
Tiernan Brady, from the Equality Campaign, welcomed the increase and said survey forms that were posted in the next few days still had a good chance of making the deadline.
“We welcome the high turnout of voters because it shows that Australians are passionate about getting marriage equality done,” Brady said.
“There’s still time to have your voice heard even if you haven’t posted your ballot yet. The deadline isn’t until the 7th of November, so posting your ballot this week means it still can get there.
“It’s not too late. Don’t throw it in the bin, put it in the post.
Brady urged supporters of change not to be complacent and keep campaigning for a positive result.
“Don’t expect marriage equality to get over the line with someone else’s vote. If you want marriage equality to happen you have to make your voice heard,” Brady said.
While the recommended deadline for getting your postal survey in the mail passed last Friday, another option is for people to hand deliver their forms to one of the remaining ABS drop-off centres.
The Equality Campaign’s Shirleene Robinson said this was something people should consider if they didn’t think the mail would get the form back in time.
“If you don’t want to risk the postal system, you have the option of going in person to the drop-off centres and hand delivering your form. You can do this right up until 4.30pm on 7 November.
“The centres are located in all the state and territory capitals as well as Geelong and are open between 8.30am and 4.30pm. Their addresses are on the ABS website.”
However, Shirleene Robinson said Victorians should note that the Melbourne drop-off centre would be closed on the final day the survey can accept forms, 7 November, for the Melbourne Cup.
The ABS has also advised that Australians using online response forms and the Interactive Voice Response have until 9pm (AEDT) on Tuesday 7th November to register their vote. These are 24-hour, seven-days-a-week services.
“We can only guarantee equality by sending a strong YES result to politicians. And that means everyone needs to get their YES vote back to the ABS in whichever way guarantees its arrival before the final deadline of 6pm, 7 November,” Robinson said.
The Coalition for Marriage have also encouraged their supporters to make sure they submit their survey forms as soon as possible, claiming that the survey was not just about allowing same sex marriage, but also potential consequences of that change.
“A change to the definition of marriage affects everyone, and so we strongly encourage anyone who has not yet voted to do so as soon as possible,” Coalition for Marriage spokeswoman Monica Doumit told News Corp Australia.
“There won’t be a public vote on the introduction of radical LGBTIQ sex and gender programs into the classroom; there won’t be a public vote on free speech or freedom of religion.
“This postal survey is the only opportunity the Australian people have not only to vote on same-sex marriage, but also on the consequences of that change.”
OIP Staff
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