Same-sex marriage results: Malcolm Turnbull’s Yes vote pledge

AUSTRALIANS have voted Yes to same-sex marriage with Malcolm Turnbull declaring it should be a reality by the end of the year.

AUSTRALIANS have voted Yes to same-sex marriage with Malcolm Turnbull declaring it should be a reality by the end of the year.

An overwhelming 61.6 per cent of eligible Aussies — or more than seven million people — have voted Yes in the postal survey.

Legislation to pave the way for same-sex couples to marry from next year has been lodged in Parliament by Liberal senator Dean Smith — co-signed Labor, Greens and crossbench colleagues — and debate could start as soon as tomorrrow.

The Prime Minister said every MP would be free to vote with their conscience and move any amendments to the Smith Bill, which is expected to have the numbers to pass through the Parliament by December 7.

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Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull. Picture: AAP Image/James Ross

Mr Turnbull slapped down an alternative proposal from Victorian Liberal senator James Paterson, backed by conservative MPs, which he said had “virtually no prospect” of getting through Parliament.

It would allow bakers, florists, photographers and others to refuse service to same-sex weddings, while rolling back anti-discrimination provisions to provide legal cover to those who oppose it for religious reasons.

“I don’t believe Australians would welcome, and certainly the government does not, would not countenance making legal, discrimination that is illegal, that is unlawful today,” Mr Turnbull said.

He said the debate in Canberra — scheduled to occur during the fortnight from November 27 — would be “free-flowing” and “Parliament at its best”.

Mr Turnbull praised the “amazing” turnout of 80 per cent of voters in the survey.

“We said we would give everyone a say and we did,” he said.

“Each house will vote on the amendments and vote on the Bill and it is my belief that the Parliament will duly resolve, if the people have voted Yes, to legalise same-sex marriage before we get up at the end of the year.”

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Leader of the Federal Opposition Bill Shorten. Picture: AAP Image/James Ross

Opposition Leader Bill Shorten offered to work with Mr Turnbull to “make marriage equality a reality as soon as possible”.

“Together we will give the numbers, along with those in the government who support it, to stare down the conservatives seeking to delay marriage equality,” Mr Shorten said.

“Enough is enough. Let’s just get it done and get it done quickly.”

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