RALLY FOR MARRIAGE EQUALITY

 

Good afternoon Melbourne.

 

Yesterday it was black and yellow and today, it's rainbow. 
 
 I'm here with Mark Dreyfus to say that this survey is almost done but it is not yet done.

 

I am here to lend my support In particular to all LGBTIQ Australians.

 

This postal survey has been in my opinion, a difficult time for gay Australians.

 

It is difficult because so many of our fellow Australians for the first time in a long time, have felt a reawakening of discrimination.

 

They have felt for the first time in a long time, not valued equally in many ways.

 

This survey has been exhausting for strong people and that pains me very much.
 
 The fact that some Australians have to literally have to knock on sixteen million doors to get permission to validate their loving relationship is tiring.

 

But I am here to say that the end is almost in sight. 
 
 I believe that the argument of the Yes case is an argument which most Australians accept.
 
 The argument that we should all be treated equally, the argument that we should ensure that all Australians have the freedom to marry. 
 
 I think this argument is winning but it is by no matter concluded.

 

In this campaign so far what we have seen is the advocates of the No case put up many distracting arguments. 
 
 The argument that it means you that won't have freedom of religion, you will.
 
 The argument which says that somehow LGBTIQ Australians don't make good parents – they are wrong, you make good parents. 
 
 So do not be disheartened.

 

Do not think that your fellow Australians in large numbers are rejecting you, they are not. 
 
 I believe that the vast proportion of our fellow Australians, I believe that they actually get it. 

 

But they just want this done, they want to get on with everything else.

 

But in the meantime, if you are feeling a bit tired and fatigued if you are feeling less valued because of this crazy postal survey. 
 
 If you are feeling somehow that this country wants to treat LGBTIQ Australians as second class, I say to you – one more day.
 
 Can you go one more day than the No case?

 

That is all you need to have.
 
 What I mean is that when you look at the vast nation and millions of people and many votes and surveys still to be completed do not be overwhelmed by the size of the challenge.
 
 Ask yourself, have you it within you to go one day more than the No case, that is the contest.
 
 Are you strong enough to go one day more for the Yes case than the No case?
 
 [CHEERING]

 

I promise you not that we will win, but I promise you that if all of us and millions of other Australians are prepared to go one day longer, one day stronger, we will have marriage equality in Australia and we will be able to say as Australians that when we extend the freedom to marry to all Australians.

 

When we extend the freedom to marry, that won't only just be saying to LGBTI Australians 'you are valued'.

 

It will be an uplifting moment when Australia votes Yes to marriage equality, Australia will be a better country.
 
 Thank you very much and remember to vote!