The Australian government plans to gauge support for same‑sex marriage through a voluntary postal ballot after its divisive bill for a compulsory vote was again rejected by the Senate.
Same‑sex marriage is not legal in Australia.
If the postal vote goes ahead and shows support for changing the law, the results will not be legally binding.
However Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull has said it could prompt a parliamentary vote to legalise same‑sex marriage this year.
It will also face a legal challenge over whether it is constitutional.
Source: BBC
