Postal survey cleared by High Court to settle same-sex marriage 'once and for all'
The government is confident of changing the law by Christmas if Australia votes "yes" in the voluntary postal survey.
Michael Koziol is the immigration and legal affairs reporter for the Sydney Morning Herald and The Age, based in Parliament House
The government is confident of changing the law by Christmas if Australia votes "yes" in the voluntary postal survey.
The High Court has rejected a legal challenge to the controversial survey just six days before ballots are due to be mailed out to millions of households.
The head of the Australian Bureau of Statistics says contingency planning started last week.
Immigration Minister Peter Dutton has said the settlement is not an admission of liability but saves taxpayers from an expensive trial.
A Coalition-controlled parliamentary committee has recommended the government wind back the toughened English language requirement contained in its proposed citizenship crackdown, warning it may prevent valuable migrants from benefiting Australia.
Proposal would have introduced a four-year waiting period for permanent residents, tough English language requirements and a test on Australian "values".
Three options await the Turnbull government if the High Court kills off its plan for a postal survey this week.
Charities fear they will be lumped in with other "political actors" and banned from accepting donations from overseas.
Leading religious scholar says increasing prevalence of same-sex couples with children was an argument in favour of marriage equality, not an argument against.
Refugees and asylum seekers in Papua New Guinea have been threatened ahead of the closure of Australian operations on Manus Island.
Search pagination
Save articles for later.
Subscribe for unlimited access to news. Login to save articles.
Return to the homepage by clicking on the site logo.