Australia decides: Live coverage of same-sex marriage survey
THE same-sex marriage result was in line with what polls predicted, so did Turnbull just waste $122 million of our cash? Hear his response.
- Tony Abbott’s most awkward phone call
- Former PM who changed Marriage Act responds
- Result ‘obviously a disappointment’ to No camp
- What happens next?
- Some quick stats
- PM commits to marriage equality before Christmas
- Australia votes Yes
- ‘Don’t keep dragging us under the bus’
- ‘The world is watching you, Australia’
- Bernardi ‘won’t be invited to any gay marriages’
Live: Same-sex marriage result
The result of the historic same-sex marriage survey has been announced. Australians have voted in favour of changing the law to allow same-sex marriage.
6.40pm
Turnbull grilled on cost of survey
Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull has been grilled on the cost of the same-sex marriage postal survey considering the results were in line with what polls predicted.
Triple J Hack’s Sarah McVeigh asked the leader whether he just wasted $122 million of taxpayer money as “polls had predicted the majority of Australians wanted same-sex marriage and actually the polls got it bang on.”
“On this occasion — on this occasion. They’ve got it wrong on a few times,” the Prime Minister replied.
“Look democracy is not cheap, but I think on this occasion it was a very good investment.
“This is a massive affirmation and, of course, it means that the 38 per cent or so of Australians who voted ‘no’ had their say.”
The national vote showed 61.6 per cent in favour of marriage equality while 38.4 per cent voted no.
Asked about when the legislation would be passed and the first weddings would be able to take place, Turnbull said it was “absolutely” his goal to have it passed by Christmas, but he was unable to provide a guarantee as it still had to go through parliament.
1.30pm
Tony Abbott’s most awkward phone call
The Abbotts have been the most high profile family at war over the same-sex marriage survey, with former prime minister Tony staunchly in the No camp, while his daughter Frances and sister Christine Forster were some of the most high profile voices for Yes.
In the aftermath of the Yes victory, Ms Forster, a City of Sydney Liberal councillor, revealed the details of what could have been one of Mr Abbott’s most awkward calls — his admission of defeat.
“It wasn’t long after the result, maybe 30 minutes, It was a good conversation,” Ms Forster told news.com.au.
“We’ve spoke and he congratulated me and he was very magnanimous. He acknowledged that this has been a great result for the Yes team.
“We discussed our shared view that legislation needs to happen quickly and if there are added protections put in to the legislation, then that needs to be proposed, debated and voted on in Parliament and let’s get on with it,” she said.
“Tony and I have a great relationship as brother and sister that transcends our political differences.”
“We’re both grown ups, we respect each other, we agree to disagree but he’s acknowledged this was a great win and I’m very pleased to take it,” she said.
Ms Forster said she and her partner, Virginia Edwards, cried when the Yes result came through. It’s now full steam ahead for their wedding. They had been planning to have the ceremony under UK law.
“We were planning to get married on 2 February, 2018, and we’re sticking with it but we want to do it under Australian law,” she said.
“There is no reason to stop us getting married if the legislation is indeed passed, as the PM has promised, before Parliament rises in second week of December.”
Ms Forster has said her brother is welcome to attend her wedding day.
“What people have expressed is they want Canberra to get on with it and to get on with their lives,” she said.
1.15pm
Pauline Hanson responds to SSM vote
One Nation leader Pauline Hanson has released a statement following the historic announcement of the same-sex marriage survey results, saying she and the party “acknowledged” the response.
“Senator Hanson and all One Nation Senators acknowledge the Australian public’s response to the same-sex marriage postal vote and await the Government’s final private member’s bill,” a statement posted to Senator Hanson’s Facebook page read.
“We also assure the millions of Australians who have legitimate concerns about this process that One Nation will take a balanced approach when considering the final legislation.
“Any bill will be thoroughly examined before One Nation determines its position in the senate.”
1pm
So, an Islamic baker should be able to say no to a Jewish customer?
Conservative Liberal MP Kevin Andrews has argued that Islamic bakers should be able to refuse to supply cakes for Jewish weddings, and vice versa.
The committed No campaigner made the bizarre argument while discussing religious protections he would like to see added to the Marriage Act when it is changed to allow same-sex couples to marry, in an interview on Sky News.
Mr Andrews said he wanted bakers, as an example, to have the right to refuse service to gay couples, but said he would also be happy for gay bakers to refuse to serve straight couples.
“I don’t have a problem if there was a gay baker who said I don’t want to bake a cake for a heterosexual wedding, or I don’t want to bake a cake for a Christian or an Islamic celebration or whatever it might be,” he said.
. @kevinandrewsmp : A Jewish baker should be able to deny an Islamic customer a wedding cake and vice versa. MORE: https://t.co/wX3tAbXkD4 pic.twitter.com/5lIekTmeRS
— Sky News Australia (@SkyNewsAust) November 15, 2017
Sky presenter Samantha Maiden challenged Mr Andrews on his suggestions, saying: “I don’t understand why it’s OK to have a no Jews policy if you involve marriage, but it’s not OK to say that if it involved any other service. It just sounds appalling,” she said.
Mr Andrews’ comments follow former prime minister John Howard’s remark that he didn’t want the debate to get hung up on “issues of the cake makers of florists”, when it came to discussing religious protection.
12.45pm
Former PM John Howard responds to vote
Former prime minister John Howard, whose changed the Marriage Act in 2004 to make sure same-sex couples could not be recognised, has commented on Australia’s vote to change the law.
While conceding the decision of the public should be respected by the Parliament, Mr Howard urged politicians to consider “the protection of parental rights, religious freedoms and freedom of speech” while debating legislation.
“It is a pity that the government, as I asked, had not spelled out before the vote how these matters were going to be covered in any enabling legislation,” he said.
“I don’t regard the Dean Smith Bill as being sufficient. I think the two things that really do matter are freedom of religion and speech, and parental rights.
“Issues of the cake makers or florists, I don’t want the debate to get hung up on that.”
12.15pm
Who voted no
NSW had the highest percentage of No voters of all states and territories, with 42 per cent of voters opposing changes to marriage laws.
A breakdown of the votes by federal electorates showed constituents from 12 seats in NSW returned a majority No vote. Nine of the state’s 12 No electorates were represented by Labor MPs.
In Queensland, the majority of voters in three electorates voted No. In Victoria there were two No electorates, while in South Australia, Tasmania, Western Australia, ACT and Northern Territory, all seats returned a majority Yes vote.
The federal electoral division of Blaxland recorded the highest No vote in Australia with 73.9 per cent opposed to gay marriage.
The neighbouring electorate of Watson was the only other division with a ‘no’ response of almost 70 per cent.
Member for Watson, Labor MP Tony Burke, said despite his constituents voting against marriage reform, he would vote for it in Parliament.
“I went to the last election with a commitment to vote Yes. That doesn't change,” he said on Twitter.
“My community knows that if they are treated with prejudice, vilified, or marginalised in any way I will stand up for them regardless of polls. The same applies to this issue.”
Read more about how Australia voted here.
11.55am
Australia celebrates
11.35am
Result ‘obviously a disappointment’ to No camp
Addressing the media after the result was delivered, No representative Lyle Shelton of the Australian Christian Lobby congratulated the Yes camp on their victory.
“It’s been decisive and I congratulate them,” he said.
“For us here in the No camp it’s obviously a disappointment — despite the valiant efforts of so many of the people in this room here today and thousands of volunteers right around the country.
“Democracy hasn’t gone our way today but I thank God that we live in a free and open, democratic society and I trust those people who have been energised by this campaign will continue to participate in our democracy.”
Pansy Lai, a doctor who appeared in an ad for the No campaign, was also at the No event and said she hoped people’s parental rights would be protected.
“Now that the result of the marriage survey has come out, people will see the consequences that we have warned about (that will hopefully) not come about in a way detrimental to people that have a personal view about traditional marriage,” she told news.com.au.
Dr Lai said she accepted the result but it was important that people’s livelihoods were not taken away if they believed in traditional marriage.
The paediatrician from Sydney’s North Shore has paid a price for making her views public, with some calling for her to be deregistered.
“I think it’s really sad that some people feel that because I expressed publicly a view towards traditional marriage, they feel I need to be deregistered as a doctor.
“That belief has nothing to do with the way I care about my patients.
“I think it’s really important that there would be something to protect the beliefs of people, that their livelihoods are not taken away.”
When asked whether the personal price was worth it, she said: “I think it’s really important to see that there are people who want to take away parental rights — radical gender theory and sexuality teaching in schools — and I think these messages need to be heard.”
The Coalition for Marriage has vowed to “continue defending parents’ rights, and fighting for freedom of speech and freedom of belief” in the wake of their thumping defeat.
Read more about the No campaign’s reaction here.
11.30am
Wong in tears over survey result
Photographers inside Parliament House have captured Senator Penny Wong’s emotional reaction to Australia's vote for same-sex marriage.
The Labor Senator was in tears after the news was announced.
Flanked by politicians from all parties, Senator Wong hugged Labor colleagues and was draped in a rainbow flag.
After the announcement, Senator Wong thanked Australians for standing up for fairness and equality.
“Thank you for standing up for the sort of Australia we believe in, one that is decent, one that is fair, one that is accepting and one that turns its back on exclusion and division,” she said.
Earlier this morning, Senator Wong, who is in a same-sex relationship, acknowledged that today’s decision was important to her both politically, and personally.
“Well, I was actually thinking about this, this morning and I thought this is not just about lesbian and gay couples, not just about the LGBTI community, although it is about us. It is about the sort of nation we are, and it will be a very important statement about the identity of the nation,” she said.
11.15am
Abbott congratulates Yes campaign
Former PM and No vote advocate Tony Abbott has released a statement following the vote for same-sex marriage in Australia.
Through his Facebook page, Mr Abbott told followers he congratulated the Yes campaign, and said the Parliament should respect the vote.
“The people have spoken out and, of course, the Parliament should respect the result,” he said.
“I also thank the 4.7 million Australians who supported marriage between a man and a woman.”
Mr Abbott noted that the PM and Opposition Leader had both “pledged their support for freedom of religion”, and indicated he wanted the Bill that is expected to be introduced to Parliament this afternoon “improved”.
“So far, this process has been a credit to us as a nation and now needs to be completed in a way that keeps us the best country in the world,” he said.
Meanwhile, at the Yes campaign celebrations, Mr Abbott’s sister Christine Forster is celebrating with her fiance Virginia Edwards.
11am
What happens next?
Australians have voted Yes and Prime Minister Turnbull says SSM should be legal by Christmas. But the debate is not over yet.
News.com.au reporter Benedict Brook has explained the next steps, how same-sex marriage will eventually become law, how long it could take, and the roadblocks that might arise.
10.50am
Bill Shorten: ‘Tomorrow we legislate’
Federal Opposition Leader Bill Shorten has told thousands of celebrating same-sex marriage supporters they should be able to get married in December.
“Yes, yes, yes”, Mr Shorten screamed to the crowd gathered to hear the result of the same-sex marriage survey in Melbourne.
“It may have been 61 per cent who voted yes in the survey, but I want to say to all LGBTIQ Australians you are 100 per cent loved, 100 per cent valued, and after the next two weeks of Parliament, 100 per cent able to marry the person that you love.
“Today we celebrate, tomorrow we legislate.”
10.45am
Some quick stats
Of the eligible Australians who voted, 61.6 per cent (7,817,247) voted Yes to changing the law to allow same-sex couples to marry.
All states and territories returned a majority Yes result. In NSW, 58 per cent voted Yes. In Queensland, 61 per cent voted Yes. In South Australia it was 62 per cent, Victoria returned a 65 per cent Yes vote, Western Australia returned a 64 per cent Yes vote and Tasmania returned a 64 per cent Yes vote.
In the ACT, 74 per cent voted Yes, and in the Northern Territory 61 per cent voted Yes.
The ABS has released a breakdown of votes by electorate.
Perhaps the most interesting of these results is in former Prime Minister Tony Abbott’s seat of Warringah, where 75 per cent voted Yes.
Mr Abbott, who led a fierce No campaign, had earlier said a No vote of 40 per cent would be a “moral victory”. The No vote didn’t quite get there. Only 38 per cent of respondents voted No.
10.30am
No camp commiserates behind closed doors
It’s a sober atmosphere at the No camp where they shared their disappointment behind closed doors. As the result broke, the disappointment was clear with some members hanging their heads. Many of them left shortly after the media were allowed in.
10.25am
Moving forward ...
Senator Mathias Cormann has outlined the process the Senate chamber will likely go through over the next few weeks in order to legislate for same-sex marriage.
A Bill for same-sex marriage will be introduced into the Senate this afternoon, kicking off what the Senator said would be “weeks” of debate over the law change.
“I am on the public record saying that I believe the Smith Bill is a good starting point and indeed a number of Senators have given notices that they will seek to introduce the Smith Bill into the Senate this afternoon,” Senator Cormann said.
“I do believe that there is a need for some additional religious protections. I am not going to go into the specifics today. That is going to be a matter for the debate over the next few weeks. “What would happen this week, if the motion that was given notice of in the Senate were to pass the Senate later today, is that tomorrow the Senate would start the second reading debate. “The debate will not go beyond the second reading debate tomorrow on the terms of the motion that was moved.
“The debate in the committee stages of the Bill will only take place in the week of the 27 November.”
10.20am
PM commits to marriage equality before Christmas
Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull has pledged to deliver marriage equality following the vote for same-sex marriage.
“We must respect the voice of the people. We asked them for their opinion and they have given it to us. It is unequivocal, it is overwhelming,” Mr Turnbull said at a press conference minutes after the results were released.
“They are our masters, we who were elected to Parliament. It is our job now to get on with it, get on with it and get this done. It is fair. The people have voted yes for marriage equality. Now it is our job to deliver it.”
Mr Turnbull acknowledged that Australians had “spoken in their millions” and voted overwhelmingly Yes for marriage equality.
“They voted yes for fairness, yes for commitment, yes for love. And 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,” he said.
“This year, before Christmas. That must be our commitment.”
10.15am
How the states and territories voted
10.10am
‘Love has had a landslide victory’
Australian Marriage Equality co-chair Alex Greenwich has led celebrations from the Yes campaign’s Sydney event.
“Love has had a landslide victory,” he told the crowd of thousands.
“This is an unequivocal mandate to get in and get this done.”
10am
Australia votes Yes
Australians have voted in favour of changing the law to allow same-sex marriage.
Australian Statistician David Kalisch announced the results of the ABS postal survey from Canberra, confirming the survey had delivered a Yes result.
Of 12.7 million votes, 61.6 per cent were returned in favour of same-sex marriage.
The final participation rate accounted for 79.5 per cent of eligible voters.
Mr Kalisch announced every state and territory recorded a majority Yes vote.
9.50am
No campaign gathers in private function
The No camp has gathered at a Sydney CBD hotel ahead of the announcement but media will not be allowed to film the group’s reaction to the result.
About 100 people have begun arriving for the morning tea, including at least one of the women who appeared in a controversial Coalition for Marriage ad, Dr Pansy Lai.
Their reaction to today’s announcement will not be filmed as the event is closed to the media until after the result when Lyle Shelton of the Australian Christian Lobby is expected to give a speech.
9.35am
‘Don’t keep dragging us under the bus’
Magda Szubanski has issued a last-minute plea to politicians to quickly deal with marriage reform legislation in the event of a Yes vote.
“If it’s a Yes, I would hope that this would be expedited really quickly and that they don’t keep dragging us under the bus,” she told The Morning Show.
“They already threw us under the bus, all of them, don’t keep dragging us under the bus.
“Please get this done — if it’s a Yes — quickly, cleanly and with as little pain as possible.”
The popular comedian and same-sex marriage advocate said her biggest concern today — no matter the vote’s outcome — was for “kids out there in hostile environments with people around them who don’t support them, who are going to be feeling terrible”.
Szubanski said the main message she wanted to get out today was to those kids, assuring them that they are supported.
9.30am
Thousands gather ahead of announcement
Thousands of people have started gathering at Sydney’s Yes campaign announcement, one of at least 20 organised events around the country today.
Rainbow flags are the accessory of choice and the crowd, while happy, are also nervous.
Talking to news.com.au from the event in Prince Alfred Park, some have admitted to being concerned about the ramifications of a No result.
“We’re keeping fingers, toes and just about everything else crossed,” said one.
Equality Campaign head Tiernan Brady, director of Australians for Equality, said: “There’s a lot of butterflies in a lot of stomachs across Australia as we wait for a result.”
9.15am
How the announcement will play out
We’re less than an hour out from learning the result of the same-sex marriage survey and campaign events are getting under way.
The result will be revealed at 10am AEDT, live from the Australian Bureau of Statistics in Canberra. Australian statistician David Kalisch will be on the mic announcing the final tally.
Ahead of the public announcement, Mr Kalisch will inform Finance Minister Mathias Cormann, as well as a select number of representatives from both the Yes and No camps.
After the answer is revealed, the Yes campaign and parliamentary sponsors of the same-sex marriage bill have press conferences scheduled.
We’re expecting to hear from the No campaign as well, but they haven’t made any public announcements about how they will respond to the news.
9am
‘A great day for our country’
Liberal MP and same-sex marriage advocate Tim Wilson has declared today’s same-sex marriage survey announcement will mark a “great day” for Australia.
“I think Australians are going to come out in very strong numbers and send a message to the community that they want a more equal, more inclusive society. One where everyone’s treated with respect and dignity, where we believe in a society built on commitment and responsibility,” he told Sky News.
“I think it’s going to be a great day for our country.”
8.30am
Ian Thorpe: ‘I’m not prepared for a No’
Olympian and same-sex marriage advocate Ian Thorpe is putting his trust in polls today and says he’s “cautiously optimistic” about this morning’s same-sex marriage survey result announcement.
“I’m confident because of how many people have responded to the survey, 80 per cent, and because we’ve had past surveys indicating that it will be a yes, that’s where the confidence comes from,” he told Sunrise.
Thorpe said a Yes result would send an important message to young Australians struggling with their sexuality.
“What this message would send to young people who may be struggling with their sexual identity, is that the country supports you and the person you happen to love,” he said.
Thorpe said he was “not prepared for a No”.
“It’s why we’ve been working diligently on making sure that this will be a Yes,” he said.
8am
‘The world is watching you, Australia’
British actor Matt Lucas has warned Australia the world will be watching as the same-sex marriage survey results are released.
The popular Little Britain comedian took a break from promoting his book to voice his support for marriage reform, and reminded Today viewers that today’s vote was a significant world event.
“What a big day it is in Australia today. The world is watching you, Australia,” he said.
Lucas said as a gay man, he hoped the decision “goes the right way”, and joked that “gay marriage should be mandatory”.
Later in the interview, Lucas repeated there was global anticipation for the results.
“Gay marriage has happened in the UK, it has happened in America, and you know what, nothing bad has come of it,” he said. “It is happening, and I think it is time. Obviously it is up to the Australian people to decide.”
US broadcaster NBC has also noted the significance of today’s decision.
In an online article published today, the news outlet focused on the “toxic debate” that the same-sex marriage vote has spawned.
NBC said the vicious campaign was “surprisingly toxic for a country known for its laid-back attitude and vibrant gay and lesbian culture”.
7.45am
What if it’s No?
Labor Senator Penny Wong says if the same-sex marriage survey returns a No result, then Labor would aim to legislate for marriage equality.
“That would be pretty hard, wouldn’t it,” she told ABC radio when asked about the possibility of a vote against same-sex marriage.
“It would be emotionally difficult for a lot of people. Even if there’s a No vote, if we want the next election we will legislate. We would have to pick ourselves up.”
7.30am
Bernardi ‘won’t be invited to any gay marriages’
Today host Karl Stefanovic has predicted Senator Cory Bernardi won’t be receiving any invitations to gay weddings as the No campaigner pledged to press ahead fighting for “religious freedoms” provisions to be built into the Marriage Act.
The independent Senator, who has been a vocal spokesman for the campaign against same-sex marriage, said Liberal voters had been “betrayed” by members of the party’s leadership who have encouraged the same-sex marriage vote.
“During the campaign they told us that they would defend these things. This is why this has been a disingenuous campaign and the Liberal voter base has been betrayed by those within the Liberal Party,” Senator Bernardi said.
.@corybernardi and @AlexGreenwich join us to discuss the impending result of the #MarriageEquality survey. #9Today pic.twitter.com/mOCh8yksFw
— The Today Show (@TheTodayShow) November 14, 2017
Senator Bernardi went head-to-head with Yes campaigner Alex Greenwich on the Nine breakfast show, who shut down the Senator’s argument.
“People have been voting for marriage equality. They have not been voting to increase discrimination,” Mr Greenwich said.
“Australians have come together like never before to more our country forward, not backwards as Senator Bernardi wants us to go.
“We are not going to go back to an Australia where we have a sign out the front of the shop that says who you will serve and who you won’t serve.”
7am
Turnbull returns for gay marriage result
Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull has arrived back in Australia in time for the release of the final same-sex marriage postal survey results.
Mr Turnbull, who touched down in Canberra after five days in southeast Asia, has slapped down a late push by conservative colleagues to water down anti-discrimination laws if the Yes vote prevails.
He’s expected to clash with MPs supporting a bill intended to protect religious freedoms. The PM says conservative Liberal Senator James Paterson’s bill “makes legal discrimination that is illegal”.
6.30am
Yes victory predicted for same-sex marriage D-Day
Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull says the goal for today’s same-sex marriage survey announcement is to have gay couples able to marry by Christmas, and insiders have tipped a Yes victory will be the likely result.
Government insiders are anticipating a win for marriage equality advocates ahead of the official results to be released today.
More than 12 million people have voted on the issue, meaning nearly 80 per cent of eligible Australians took part in the voluntary poll.
How today’s results will play out
Various opinion polls point to a majority Yes vote, possibly as high as 60 per cent, and senior government insiders are reportedly confident of a result in favour of same-sex marriage.
The Australian Bureau of Statistics will release the outcome at 10am AEDT.
The results will be broken down to electorate level, meaning while Mr Turnbull has assured voters a Yes result, if successful, would “sail through the parliament”, MPs will face pressure to mirror their constituents’ views when a private member’s bill is introduced today.
A private bill, proposed by West Australian Liberal Senator Dean Smith, has been labelled the “starting point” by senior government ministers. It will be supported by Labor and the Greens even though the minor party plans to present amendments.
A second private bill, containing more protections for religious organisations and conscientious objections, is being pushed by conservative Coalition MPs, many of whom campaigned for a No vote.
The Prime Minister, who has consistently voiced his support for same-sex marriage, will return to Australia from meetings in the Philippines ahead of the announcement.
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