Australia passes bill in support of same-sex marriage

Speaking of the historic bill passage, the prime minister Malcolm Turnbull said that making same-sex marriage legal in Australia is a “great moment in history” that will benefit generations to come, the Daily Telegraph reports.

The Prime Minister told ABC 730 host Leigh Sales the vote had “an enormous national effort” with every Australian having a say.

When asked by Sales about the “significant cost” to many LBTQI Australians of having to endure a public debate, Turnbull said the balance was “overwhelmingly positive”.

“I mean, if you are a young gay person and you are worried about your identity, you’re struggling with how to tell your parents or your friends – you know, you’re going through a tough time, and now you know 62 per cent of Australians have voted to say, ‘you are equal, we love you, we respect you.’

“That is a very big affirmation. That is a very big hug, Leigh — and that’s what Australians have done.”

The historic bill passed just before 6 pm today (Australia) after MPs voted to knock back a series of last-minute changes to the legislation.

MPs and members of the public began to spontaneously sing ‘  ’ after the vote. There were also tears and hugs on the floor of parliament.

Daily Telegraph