- Opinion
- 15 Nov 17
Two years after Ireland made history by passing the first ever referendum in the world on same-sex marriage, they've followed suit Down Under with an overwhelming majority voting in favour of it too.
There was a huge turnout of 79.5 percent for the postal survey with an estimated 61.6%, voting in favour.
And now the country's Prime Minister says he plans to make same-sex marriage a "reality" by Christmas.
Taking to Twitter last night, PM Malcom Turnbull wrote: "The people of Australia have spoken and I intend to make their wish the law of the land by Christmas. This is an overwhelming call for marriage equality."
In his video post, whuch you can watch down below, he stated: "Australians have voted yes for fairness, they have voted yes for commitment, they have voted yes for love.
"Now it's up to us here in the Parliament of Australia to get on with it, to get on with the job the people have asked us to do and get it done this year, before Christmas.
"That must be our commitment. We asked the Australian people for their view. This was an unprecedented exercise in democracy, a voluntary survey in which 80% participated and over 61%, 61.6%, have said yes.
"That's an overwhelming participation rate and an overwhelming yes vote. I know that many people - a minority obviously - voted no.
"But we are a fair nation - there's nothing more Australian than a fair go, than equality, than mutual respect."
He added: "I say to all Australians, whatever your views on this issue may be, we must respect the voice of the people.
"We asked them for their opinion and they have given it to us. It's unequivocal, it's overwhelming."
The people of Australia have spoken and I intend to make their wish the law of the land by Christmas. This is an overwhelming call for marriage equality. pic.twitter.com/PWZbH5H71r
— Malcolm Turnbull (@TurnbullMalcolm) November 14, 2017