Public Vote On Marriage Equality To Come "Shortly" After Next Federal Election, Government Minister Confirms

Might we see marriage equality in Australia by 2017?

The Australian Government is inching ever closer to allowing a vote on marriage equality, even going so far as to confirm that Parliament will make gay marriage legal should the majority of Australians vote in its favour.

Minister Kelly O’Dwyer said as much on the ABC over the weekend, promising a plebiscite on marriage “shortly” after the next federal election.

The federal election will likely take place late in 2016.

Minister O’Dwyer, who supports marriage equality, added, "It would be absolutely bizarre for the Parliament to ignore the will of the people,” assuaging the concerns of those who felt a "yes" result would not ultimately lead to any legal changes.

The plebiscite will measure the public’s enthusiasm for a change to the Marriage Act, which does not at this time allow for same-sex marriages.

It was revealed last week that Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull and Queensland MP Warren Entsch had discussed a plan that would see amendments made to the Marriage Act; amendments that would only be ratified if the "yes" vote won the plebiscite.