The sum is a rise of 400,000 from last week’s ABS update.

Seventy-seven per cent of eligible Australians have now had their say on the topic of same-sex marriage, with just one week until surveys must be received. 

The past two tally updates are more accurate than earlier predictions because they are based on surveys counted, not on the weight of full survey boxes.  

On the eve of the latest update, Bendigo was visited by head ‘no’ campaigner, the Australian Christian Lobby’s Lyle Shelton.

Mr Shelton spent much of his speech attempting to link same-sex marriage to curbed religious freedoms and anti-bullying program Safe Schools. 

Read more: ‘Thank you for sharing your stories’

He also singled out for thanks former Greater Bendigo councillor Helen Leech, who has led the Bendigo ‘no’ campaign.  

Mr Shelton, who said he was fatigued by the postal survey campaign, asked his supporters not to “go back to sleep”, no matter the outcome.

“If we win, these people will not go away,” he said, explaining Labor’s determination to pass same-sex marriage could see another campaign on the issue ahead of the next federal election. 

But he also conceded the ‘yes’ vote could win, calling the campaign a David and Goliath battle.

“Even if our nation does makes a mistake and redefines marriage and law, doesn’t mean that you and I were wrong about marriage,” he said.

‘Yes’ campaigners marked Mr Shelton’s visit with a singalong at Lake Weeroona, an event volunteer coordinator Tash Joyce said was a peaceful response to Mr Shelton’s negative message. 

Surveys must be received at the ABS by November 7 to be counted. Results will be announced on November 15.

Read more: Early hiccups as marriage surveys arrive in letterboxes