Liberal senator says marriage equality could be in by Christmas

A Liberal senator says same-sex marriage could be legalised before Christmas if the Yes vote wins the postal survey.

Simon Birmingham told Sky News that the government would not delay to introduce legislation in the case of a Yes win.

“If the Australian people when the postal survey result comes back have indicated a Yes vote, the government will get on with what we promised the Australian people we would do, which is facilitating debate on legislation to deliver marriage equality,” he said.

“We see that there is no reason that it cannot be delivered before Christmas.”

Manager of Opposition Business Tony Burke said the Labor party will also work to ensure marriage equality is dealt with as quickly as possible after the survey result is announced.

“I presume that the government won’t be able to formally manage that debate to make sure that it doesn’t just become a filibuster that goes on forever without our support,” Burke said.

“I’m putting down very clearly on the record that we will cooperate with the government in making sure that this is dealt with in a timely manner this year.”

Polls continue to show a solid majority of approximately 60 per cent of people have returned a Yes vote in the postal survey.

Conservative leader and anti–marriage equality advocate Cory Bernardi recently claimed that voters are lying in polls to conceal that they voted No.

The results of the marriage equality survey will be announced next month.