Your noon Briefing

Hello readers. Here’s the latest on how things have played out so far on the day Australia said Yes to same sex marriage.

Hello readers. Here’s your digest of how the day Australia said Yes has played out so far.

Affirmative action: The yes vote has sparked scenes of joy across Australia.

Turnbull warns: ‘let’s get on with it’ after Australia votes Yes

Australians have voted Yes to same-sex marriage after 61.6 per cent of almost 13 million respondents backed the proposal in the $122m voluntary survey. Malcolm Turnbull says the parliament must to legalise same-sex marriage by the end of the year, Liberal senator Dean Smith is expected to introduce his bill in the Senate this afternoon to legalise SSM. However, conservatives are pushing for an alternative bill with far-reaching religious protections. Don’t miss the latest developments as they happen on our live blog, PoliticsNow. And for the fine details of the vote, see the survey results by the numbers.

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Please Mr Postman: The postal survey has been hailed as a success. Picture: Getty Images

4.8 million No votes can’t be ignored

The postal survey on same-sex marriage has been a success. It has delivered a clear result and given every eligible voter the chance to have their say, writes Dennis Shanahan. The clear Yes vote provides clear guidance for the Parliament and a positive aid to Malcolm Turnbull. Both Yes and No campaigners now have to realise that neither a winner-takes-all or a dog-in-the-manger attitude will be acceptable and that compromise on the legislation will be necessary to honour the result of the survey and the spirit in which it was conducted.

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Partners in success: Qantas boss Alan Joyce celebrates the Yes victory with his partner. Picture: AAP

Qantas boss defends airline’s strong Yes support

Qantas boss Alan Joyce has said a successful yes vote in the postal plebiscite would send an “amazing message” and that there was a business case for the flagship carrier to have supported the campaign for same-sex marriage. Speaking at a business summit in Sydney before the outcome of the vote was known, Mr Joyce said that there was a “huge amount of energy and productivity that’s lost” because there were a proportion of LGBTI people “aren’t being themselves at work”

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A very emotional Senator Penny Wong. Picture: Gary Ramage

Will you marry me?

How many smitten Australians have whispered that question to a loved one over the years, knowing that it could not honestly be answered? Of course I’ll marry you. I’d marry you tomorrow, if only we were allowed. But we’re not allowed. We are lesser in rights and dignity than our fellow Australians. Well, permission granted, writes Caroline Overington.