Australians Vote In Favour Of Legalisation Of Same-Sex Marriage

Same-sex couples in Australia are a step closer to being able to get hitched, after the country voted overwhelmingly in favour of legalising gay marriage.

A total of 12.7 million people took part in the non-binding postal survey, with a 79.5% overall turnout. 61.6% of people said Yes to marriage equality, with the No campaign receiving 38.4% of the vote, lower than the 40% former prime minister - and prominent No campaigner - Tony Abbott said would deliver a 'moral victory'.

Of the 150 federal electorates, 133 returned a majority support for marriage equality. A bill to change the law was introduced into the Senate late on Wednesday and will now be debated for amendments.

Here's attorney general, George Brandis, responding to the result:

Credit: Sky News Australia

Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull said his government would aim to pass legislation in parliament by Christmas.

"[Australians] have spoken in their millions and they have voted overwhelmingly yes for marriage equality," Mr Turnbull said after the result was announced.

"They voted yes for fairness, yes for commitment, yes for love."

Here's how people reacted to the news:

The postal survey followed two failed attempts by the government to hold a compulsory national vote. It was voted down by the Senate twice, as it was perceived as costly to hold.

Featured Image Credit: Equality Campaign

Topics: World News, Australia News

James Dawson

James Dawson is a Journalist at LADbible. He has contributed articles to LADbible’s ‘Knowing Me, Knowing EU’ series on the EU referendum, the 'Electoral Dysfunction' series on the 2017 general election, the ‘U OK M8?’ series tackling mental health amongst young men, and for its ‘Climate Change’ initiative in partnership with National Geographic.

@thejaytoday