The results of Australia’s postal survey on marriage equality were announced on Wednesday with a firm majority in favour and Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull declaring: “Australia had “voted ‘Yes’ for love.”
Of the 12.7 million votes collected by the Australian Bureau of Statistics, 61.6% of respondents (7.8 million) said ‘Yes’ to same-sex marriage while 38.4% (4.9 million) said ‘No’.
Crowds of LGBTQI activists and supporters gathered across the nation to countdown and celebrate the announcement which was overwhelmingly expected to be in favour of ‘Yes’. Jubilation erupted when the result was officially announced at 10am AEDT.
Among those in attendance at the Sydney event were high profile marriage equality proponents Dr. Kerryn Phelps, Qantas boss Alan Joyce and actress Magda Szubanski.
“It’s a win for all,” Szubanski said, addressing the elated crowd.
Also see: ‘No’ campaign had “moral integrity of Trevor Chappell” says Magda
YES YES YES YES YES!!! #MarriageEquality pic.twitter.com/520rIaJqQg
— Paul Syvret ???? (@PSyvret) November 14, 2017
On ABC news, a man proposed to his boyfriend on live television. The answer was again “yes”, as it was for many gay couples around the country.
Peter and Steve just got engaged in a Melbourne laneway. “10 years ago I fell in love with this man, we’ve been waiting for this day a long long time.” #MarriageEquality pic.twitter.com/HtXmmBMJbv
— Tom Cowie (@tom_cowie) November 15, 2017
The John Paul Young hit Love Is In The Air and Kylie Minogue tunes were popular anthems played at many of the gatherings. Minogue herself tweeted her support.
#Australia … ???????? #MarriageEquality ???? Love is love, always was love, always will be love.
— kylie minogue (@kylieminogue) November 14, 2017
Speaking to reporters shortly after the result was announced, Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull – a supporter of marriage equality – said Australia had “voted ‘Yes’ for love” and urged Parliament to legislate for same-sex marriage before Christmas.
“It is up to us here in the Parliament of Australia to get on with it, get on with the job the Australian people have tasked us to do and get this done. This year, before Christmas — that must be our commitment,” he said.
79.5% of eligible voters took part in the marriage equality survey, according to the ABS.