WA Liberal Senator Dean Smith will make history this week, confirming he will introduce his same-sex marriage Bill on Thursday — a day after the result of the postal survey is announced.

On Wednesday, Australia will finally know how more than 12 million people voted in the eight-week poll, with a Yes result meaning gay couples could get married before Christmas.

Senator Smith last night exclusively told The Sunday Times his Marriage Amendment (Definitions and Religious Freedoms) Bill 2017 would be tabled in Parliament the next day.

“I am sure the great majority of Australians share my view — if a Yes vote is announced the parliamentary debate should begin at the earliest possible opportunity,” he said.

“After a cost of $122 million, and over two months of campaigning and years of public discussion, it makes no sense to delay a parliamentary debate. Australians upheld their end of the bargain by voting en masse, now it’s time for Parliament to uphold its end of the same deal.”

Senator Smith said as the Senate was sitting this week, it made “no sense” to delay making marriage equality law in Australia.

“After the result is known on Wednesday, it is my intention to canvass support to introduce a Bill this week. I am hoping other senators will consider the matter a priority if there is a Yes outcome,” he said. “Beginning the debate in the Senate allows the House of Representatives to debate the Bill in its last two sitting weeks of the year.”

Senator Smith said he was hopeful the Yes vote would prevail, but even if Australians voted No he would still introduce the Bill to the Senate this week.

“Like millions of other Australians, I will be disappointed if there is a No result, but I will uphold my original commitment and present my Bill to the Senate without any expectation it will be debated,” he said.

Play Video The results of the survey will be announced on Wednesday November 15 The results of the survey will be announced on Wednesday November 15

If the result is Yes, Liberal and Labor MPs will have a free vote in Parliament. The legislation allows clergy and religious organisations to refuse to marry gay couples.

WA Liberal MP Ian Goodenough said a dozen conservatives were working on an alternative Bill, which he claimed would offer more protections for Australians who do not support same-sex marriage.

Mr Goodenough said the alternative Bill could also be introduced into the Senate this week.

“If the result of the vote is Yes, we want protections for parents, protections for religious institutions and charities to be free to express contrary views without being held to account by discrimination laws,” Mr Goodenough said.

“The Dean Smith Bill covers who could marry, and could refuse to marry. But then after the marriage ceremony, the Bill remains silent on what happens if, say, a school teaches that marriage is between a man and a woman. In the future, could they be taken to court?”

Senator Smith said he respected the right of “every parliamentarian” to bring legislation and amendments to Parliament, but believed his Bill was the best way forward.

“The objective of the Bill is clear: it creates equal access to marriage while protecting religious freedom in relation to marriage,” he said.

“It allows a minister of religion to refuse to solemnise a marriage due to religious views and creates extra protections for existing civil celebrants.

“There is no apology for the fact that the Bill does not address free speech or parental rights – because it’s a Bill about marriage equality.”

Tennis great and same-sex marriage critic Margaret Court said she still believed the No vote would prevail, but warned a Yes victory would change Australia for ever.

“There will be no he or she, no husband or wife, no father, mother — all these words will be gone,” the Perth-based Christian pastor said.

“In time, there will be no Christmas or Easter.”