A rally in Sydney has attracted a record crowd with some estimating that up to 30,000 people attended the event to show their support for changing the marriage laws.

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NSW police have declined to give an official crowd estimate, but most reports have indicated at least 30,000 people attended.

Opposition leader Bill Shorten said it was unfortunate that LGBTI people had to endure the process of a public discussion on the value of their relationships, and repeated his commitment that a future Labor government would still legislate for marriage equality within its first 100 days.

‘For gay Australians, LGBTI Australians to have to go through a different law making process to the rest of Australians is unfair,’ Shorten said.

During his speech the Labor leader said the marriage equality was a positive factor in maintaining families and raising children.

“What this world needs, and what this country needs, is we need help to maintain families, we need help to raise children, and that is why we need marriage equality,” Shorten said.

“We’ve got one last mountain to climb to make marriage equality a reality; let’s climb it together.”

A rally in Brisbane also attracted large crowds with several city streets closed off to allow for the rally.

A small group of ten counter-protesters arrived at the rally holding placards with biblical verses. The crowd reportedly drowned them out by singing the 1970’s disco hit I Will Survive. 

Paperwork for the national postal survey is expected to arrive in people’s mailboxes later this week.

OIP Staff