Ben & Jerry's bans two scoops of the same flavour in Australia in protest over gay marriage

Ben & Jerry's is banning two scoops of the same flavour in its 26 Australian stores as part of a push for marriage equality Down Under.

"It is time to stand up for fair and equal rights for all by letting our leaders know that we demand Marriage Equality!", the popular ice cream chain said on Thursday.

"Imagine heading down to your local Scoop Shop to order your favourite two scoops of Cookie Dough in a waffle cone," the company wrote in a statement.

"But you find out you are not allowed – Ben & Jerry’s has banned two scoops of the same flavour.

"You’d be furious! Don’t live near a scoop shop – no problem! You can sign up through the Equality Campaign’s website."

Coinciding with the ban, Ben & Jerry's has placed postcard boxes for customers to issue postal protests to their representatives.

According to polls, around two thirds of Australians support same-sex marriage as does the majority of MPs. Despite the flurry of legislative activity, including a sunken plebiscite, the federal government has not laid out a plan on how to legalise the unions.

The American company, which has a long history of LGBTI support, encouraged costumers to contact their MPs and ask for "action". 

Ben & Jerry's joined more than 1,200 companies and organisations, including AirBnB, Quantas and the major football codes, calling for marriage equality in Australia.