Same-sex couples could be able to marry by Christmas, but first parliament must adopt legislation giving the non-binding vote result the force of law. - "Yes for love" -Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull, a moderate conservative who supported legalisation, called the "yes" vote an "overwhelming" endorsement of marriage equality. "They (Australians) have spoken in their millions and they have voted overwhelmingly yes for marriage equality," Turnbull told reporters in Canberra. "They voted yes for fairness, yes for commitment, yes for love." Turnbull and the opposition Labor Party have backed a simpler draft bill that legalises gay marriage while allowing religious institutions to refuse to wed same-sex couples if they oppose the practice.

Source: The Nation Bangkok November 14, 2017 23:48 UTC