The Australian postal survey on same-sex marriage has been passed by a margin of 62% to 38%. This now paves the way for parliament to vote on a measure to redefine marriage laws in the country to enable same-sex unions to be recognised as marriage. The postal survey had been announced by the coalition Government as a means of gauging public support for the issue before any legislation might be introduced in parliament. The survey itself, a voluntary, non-binding postal vote, had a participation rate of 79.5%, one of the highest participation rates for any such referendum around the world. The Australian parliament is now expected to legalise same-sex marriage before Christmas, although legislators will have to decide the extent of conscience protections, if any, for those who do not want to participate in same-sex weddings.