Gay marriage rallies for Sydney and Perth

But the sea of floral colour on the forecourt is different to the rainbow lights greeting MPs flying into Canberra for the return of parliament.

Campaigners for and against marriage equality have ramped up their activities in the lead up to the introduction on Tuesday of a cross-party bill to legalise gay marriage.

And Australian Marriage Equality’s new national campaign slogan #WeCanDoThis, is also on display with hopes the momentum in the community for same-sex marriage will lead to change within weeks.

“If the intention of the Marriage Alliance was to show marriage equality doesn’t matter to Australians, this poll has backfired on them”, Croome said.

Two Canberra marriage celebrants are leading a new project designed to make it easier for same-sex couples to find civil celebrants who will offer ceremonies conducted with dignity and respect. Members of the opposition have announced that they will introduce a bill to legalize same-sex marriage next week.

“We’ve just arrived back from the USA where same-sex marriage has now been legalised in all 50 states”. “The example set by government is so powerful and so influential, and that’s why we’re speaking to you today”.

Those attending Queensland’s Equal Love event packed out Queens Gardens before marching through the central business district.

A crowdfunding campaign to get the #WeCanDoThis television commercial on air has raised almost $10,000 in three days.

A Canberra Airport spokesperson said the idea behind the week-long campaign was to highlight the “deep, positive and strong” feelings of the vast majority of the community in support of marriage equality.

Shadow transport minister Anthony Albanese said Sunday there was disconnect between the Australian public and political system, and that the inquiry should be done at “arm’s length from politicians”.

It has the backing of long-time marriage equality advocate and Liberal backbencher Warren Entsch, and will be co-sponsored by his colleague Teresa Gambaro, and Labor backbencher Terri Butler.

Prime Minister Tony Abbott, a staunch Catholic who opposes changes to the Marriage Act, last month played down prospects of the private member’s bill being debated and voted on in parliament.

While the success of the bill could depend on the timing of debate in the House of Representatives and its the outcome from the Coalition-controlled selection committee, the government could decide to bring on a vote any time.

“It’s in the interest of the government to move this bill forward rather than block it because support for marriage equality is growing all the time and the issue is clearly not going away”, he said.