Breaking: Malcolm Turnbull's Controversial Plebiscite Bill Just Passed

Australia's House of Representatives has voted in favour of Malcolm Turnbull's controversial plebiscite bill—76 votes for, 67 against. The Plebiscite (Same-Sex Marriage) Bill 2016 gives the Government the go ahead to hold a compulsory, in-person vote on the question, "Should the law be changed to allow same-sex couples to marry?"

The bill will now move to the Senate, where it will face an uphill battle against opposition from Labor and the Greens. Nick Xenophon and his two fellow NXT senators, as well as Derryn Hinch, are also opposed. However the plebiscite does have support from crossbench senators Jacqui Lambie, David Leyonhjelm, and Bob Day.

If the bill does pass through the Senate, Australia will vote on marriage equality on February 11, 2017.

LGBTQI groups have voiced strong opposition to the plebiscite, citing concerns about the mental health impacts. And while it's widely cited that 70 percent of Australians support a plebiscite on marriage equality, a poll earlier this year found—once voters are aware of the costs—support drops below half.

The Plebiscite Bill sets aside $170 million for this vote, which will include advertising funding for both for sides. Although an independent assessment by PricewaterhouseCoopers puts the number somewhere closer to $525 million.

WATCH: VICE Breaks Down the Same-Sex Marriage Plebiscite