Australia votes to change Marriage Act to back same sex marriage

Australians are joyous as the vote that has been conducted to change the Marriage Act resulted to more than 60 percent voted "yes" to back the same-sex marriage.

According to Australian Bureau of Statistics, of the eligible Australians who expressed a view on this question, the majority indicated that the law should be changed to allow same-sex couples to marry, with 7,817,247 (61.6 percent) responding Yes and 4,873,987 (38.4 percent) responding No. Nearly 8 out of 10 eligible Australians (79.5 percent) expressed their view.

It stated that all states and territories recorded a majority Yes response. 133 of the 150 Federal Electoral Divisions recorded a majority Yes response, and 17 of the 150 Federal Electoral Divisions recorded a majority No response.

Further information on response and participation within each state and territory can be seen below in the graphics:

The report stated that 12,727,920 (79.5 percent) eligible Australians participated in the Australian Marriage Law Postal Survey.

It noted that females were more likely to participate than males. Nationally, 81.6 percent (6,644,192) of eligible females and 77.3 percent (5,980,168) of eligible males participated in the survey.

Those aged 70 to 74 were the most likely to respond to the survey, with 89.6 percent of eligible Australians in this age group participating. The participation rate was lowest in those aged 25 to 29 at 71.9 percent. The youngest age group of eligible Australians (those aged 18-19 years) were more likely (78.2 percent) to participate than any other age group under the age of 45 years.

Hundreds of people gathered in Melbourne to hear the result and the rainbow-colored smoke, confetti and cheers erupted as they celebrate.

The bridge in Brisbane was also lighted up with rainbow colours.

Story Bridge in Brisbane tonight! pic.twitter.com/AxtrnUKyMe

— Dave (@chef09876) November 15, 2017

While, opposition Labor Party leader Bill Shorten told the Melbourne rally the postal vote itself should never have happened, saying, "I feel for young people who had their relationships questioned in a way I wouldn't have thought we would see ever again, but nevertheless what this marriage equality survey shows is that unconditional love always has the last word."

ABC News aired Liberal Senator Dean Smith while he introduced his same-sex marriage bill to Parliament.

The debate will continue on Thursday 9.30 am Australia time.