Parties have broken out in parks, on the streets and in bars throughout Australia in celebration of the same-sex marriage postal survey results.
The Australian Bureau of Statistics announced the findings of the voluntary vote at a special hearing in Federal Parliament on Wednesday morning, with a majority of 61.6 per cent of Aussies in favour of legalising gay marriage.
Thousands of ‘Yes’ voters gathered in public places across the nation, including huge numbers outside the State Library of Victoria in Melbourne and Prince Alfred Park in Sydney.
Concert and festival-like scenes broke out in major cities upon the announcement, with DJs, bands and music providing the soundtrack for equality’s landmark day.
Oxford Street, the harbour city’s iconic gay district, has been washed over by a sea of rainbows and joy.
One man even chose the moment to propose to his boyfriend, not in the mood to waste any time
Parties have broken out in parks, on the streets and in bars throughout Australia in celebration of the same-sex marriage postal survey results
Thousands of ‘Yes’ voters gathered in public places across the nation, including huge numbers outside the State Library of Victoria in Melbourne and Prince Alfred Park in Sydney
Concert and festival-like scenes broke out in major cities upon the announcement, with DJs and bands providing the soundtrack for equality’s landmark day
Oxford Street, the harbour city’s iconic gay district, has been washed over by a sea of rainbows and joy
Emotional embraces, tears of joy and an overwhelming message of equality has washed over the nation after months of debate, abuse and pain
The ‘Yes’ campaign received 7,817,247 votes compared to 4,873,987 ‘No’ votes, a significant victory for the campaign
Emotional embraces, tears of joy and an overwhelming message of equality has washed over the nation after months of debate, abuse and pain.
The ‘Yes’ campaign received 7,817,247 votes compared to 4,873,987 ‘No’ votes, a significant victory for the campaign.
The returned ballots amounted for 79.5 per cent of the population, a strong response from the public to the controversial $122 million postal vote.
The onus will now be on politicians to pass a bill in parliament to legalise same-sex marriage, allowing Australia to join a host of other countries including the United States, the United Kingdom, France, Sweden and Canada who have already changed their marriage laws.
‘Yes’ voters have erupted in celebrations across Australia after the postal survey returned results of 61.6 per cent in favour of legalising same-sex marriage
Champagne, bubbles and confetti has covered the skies across the nation’s majority cities as parties kick off to celebrate the historic moment
Thousands of ‘Yes’ advocates have erupted in celebration at the State Library of Victoria
The ‘Yes’ campaign received 7,817,247 votes compared to 4,873,987 ‘No’ votes, a significant victory for the campaign
Opposition Leader Bill Shorten celebrates the ‘Yes’ result with thousands outside the State Library of Victoria
Senator Penny Wong broke down in tears as the result was read out
The rain didn’t dampen the spirits of Adelaide-based ‘Yes’ supporters
Emotional embraces, tears of joy and an overwhelming message of equality has washed over the nation after months of debate, abuse and pain
New South Wales was the only state or territory not to have a 60 per cent or higher majority of ‘Yes’ votes, with 57.8 per cent in favour of legalising gay marriage
Many people were overcome with emotion as the result was read out
Rainbow-coloured mohawks, men in wedding dresses and hundreds of same-sex rights flags have been spotted as the equality crusaders flocked to public areas for the announcement
Australian Bureau of Statistics boss David Kalisch revealed the result to parliament in Canberra on Wednesday, prompting widespread celebrations as supporters gathered at iconic landmarks across the country.
Rainbow-coloured mohawks, men in wedding dresses and hundreds of same-sex rights flags have been spotted as the equality crusaders flocked to public areas for the announcement.
Billboards, businesses and even cruise liners have been draped in rainbows for the result that was voted by 79.5 per cent of those eligible.
Champagne, bubbles and confetti has covered the skies across the nation’s majority cities as parties kick off to celebrate the historic moment.
The Australian Capital Territory led the way for the ‘Yes’ campaign, with a monumental 74 per cent in favour of same-sex marriage.
Victoria was second with 64.9 per cent, with Western Australia third at 63.7 per cent.
New South Wales was the only state or territory not to have a 60 per cent or higher majority of ‘Yes’ votes, with 57.8 per cent in favour of legalising gay marriage.
Of the 150 Federal Electoral Divisions, 133 registered a majority ‘Yes’.
Prince Alfred Park celebrations were hosted by high-profile faces of the ‘Yes’ vote, including legendary Olympic swimmer Ian Thorpe, actress Magda Szubanski and singer John Paul Young.
Both Thorpe and Szubanski gave emotional addresses to the audience after the ‘Yes’ result came through.
City of Sydney Lord Mayor Clover Moore was also in attendance at the event that is expected to have well over a thousand attendees.
Emotional embraces, tears of joy and an overwhelming message of equality has washed over the nation after months of debate, abuse and pain
Prince Alfred Park celebrations were hosted by high-profile faces of the ‘Yes’ vote, including legendary Olympic swimmer Ian Thorpe, actress Magda Szubanski and singer John Paul Young
Both Thorpe and Szubanski gave emotional addresses to the audience after the ‘Yes’ result came through
Same-sex marriage supporters have gathered across Australia for the landmark announcement of the same-sex marriage postal survey results
The Australian Bureau of Statistics announced the findings of the voluntary vote at a special hearing on Wednesday, with a majority of 61.6 per cent in favour of legalising gay marriage
The ‘Yes’ vote had 7,817,247 total voters compared to 4,873,987, a significant victory for the campaign
Billboards, businesses and even cruise liners have been draped in rainbows for the result that was voted by 79.5 per cent of those eligible
Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull praised the nation for voting ‘overwhelmingly “Yes” for marriage equality, for fairness, for commitment and for love’.
‘Now it is up to us here in the Parliament of Australia to get on with it, to get on with the job the Australian people have tasked us to do and get this done, this year before Christmas,’ Mr Turnbull said.
‘That must be our commitment. We ask the Australian people for their view. This was an unprecedented exercise in democracy.
‘Now, I know that many people, a minority obviously, voted “No”. But we are a fair nation. There is nothing more Australian than a fair go. There is nothing more Australian than equality and mutual respect.
‘Every one has had their say. That’s what we pledged at the last election. Many people stood in our way. The Labor Party, number of people on the crossbench and others. They didn’t want up toss have their say. We did.
‘We must respect the voice of the people. We ask them for their view, and they have given it to us. It is unequivocal. It is overwhelming.’
More people by percentage voted on the issue than Britons voted on Brexit and Americans voted in the Donald Trump versus Hillary Clinton Presidential election.
Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull praised the nation for voting ‘overwhelmingly “Yes” for marriage equality, for fairness, for commitment and for love’
‘Now it is up to us here in the Parliament of Australia to get on with it, to get on with the job the Australian people have tasked us to do and get this done, this year before Christmas,’ Mr Turnbull said
Thousands of ‘Yes’ advocates have erupted in celebration at the designated areas throughout the country, including the State Library of Victoria in Melbourne and Prince Alfred Park in Sydney
The ‘Yes’ campaign received 7,817,247 votes compared to 4,873,987 ‘No’ votes, a significant victory for the campaign
Opposition Leader Bill Shorten described the result as a ‘fabulous day to be an Australian’.
‘Australians have voted for a generous view of themselves, for a modern Australia, where diversity is accepted, supported and respected,’ he told a marriage equality rally in Melbourne.
‘And I just want to make one promise, one promise: today we celebrate, tomorrow we legislate.’
The result of the voluntary survey is not binding but puts pressure on MPs to approve changed marriage laws.
Parliamentary debate to legalise same-sex marriage could begin as early as Thursday.
A cross-party group of senators – led by Liberal Dean Smith and supported by senior Labor figure Penny Wong, among others – will introduce a private bill to the upper house on Wednesday afternoon.
This means debate could start on Thursday morning, the Senate’s usual time for considering private bills.
Parliamentary debate to legalise same-sex marriage could begin as early as Thursday
A cross-party group of senators – led by Liberal Dean Smith and supported by senior Labor figure Penny Wong, among others – will introduce a private bill to the upper house on Wednesday afternoon
This means debate could start on Thursday morning, the Senate’s usual time for considering private bills
Mr Turnbull and other senior government ministers are backing the Smith bill as a good ‘starting point’ for debate.
It had the advantage of having been around for some months now, the prime minister said unlike an alternative bill proposed by conservative Liberal James Patterson.
‘People know what is in it and they know what its virtues are,’ Mr Turnbull said.
‘If they have problems in it they can move amendments to correct the defects.’