SSM survey votes by degrees Yes campaign supporters, including Christine Forster and Penny Wong, celebrate.

Hello and welcome to PoliticsNow, The Australian’s live coverage of the day’s political events.

• Top story: Australians have voted Yes to same-sex marriage after 61.6 per cent of almost 13 million respondents backed the proposal in the $122m voluntary survey. See our interactive map for details of how your electorate voted. Liberal senator Dean Smith is expected to introduce his bill in the Senate to legalise SSM, although it didn’t happen in today’s Question Time. Meanwhile, conservatives are pushing for an alternative bill with far-reaching religious protections.

• Malcolm Turnbull says ‘let’s get on with it’ on SSM reform

Read Next

• A breakdown of votes by electorate, gender, and age

• The survey results have given Labor a political headache in Sydney

9.40pm: NT records lowest voter turnout

The Northern Territory chief minister says learning the same sex marriage views of remote communities would always be problematic after voter turnout in the postal survey was lower than anywhere else in the country.

Almost 61 per cent of voters in the Territory favoured marriage equality in the postal plebiscite, however the participation rate was just 58 per cent. “I don’t think the postal survey was ever going to be a really functional method of canvassing the view of remote Territorians,” Michael Gunner said. “I flagged concerns with the prime minister when they first announced the postal survey... sending the mail out to remote regions, it was always going to be difficult.”

While almost 67 per cent of voters from the urban seat of Solomon - covering Darwin and Palmerston - took part in the survey, only half of those living in the sprawling seat of Lingiari, which covers everything else, participated. The ABS deployed field officers to about 200 remote indigenous communities to assist people who don’t speak English as a first language, providing audio recordings of the survey in about 14 Aboriginal languages.

But in October, the ABC revealed that residents in the remote Arnhem Land community of Ramingining burned about 50 surveys because they misunderstood the question, believing they were being asked whether or not a man should be “compelled” to marry another man.

How the Northern Territory voted:

Yes (60.6pct): No (39.4pct)

Total votes (58.4pct)

Solomon: Yes (65.3pct); No (34.7pct) : Total votes (66.8pct)

Lingiari: Yes (54.5pct); No (45.5pct): Total votes (50.1pct)

7.30pm: ‘Yes, yes and yes’

Leader Bill Shorten at the SSM street party in Melbourne. Picture: AAP.

Bill Shorten has told a Yes campaign celebration filled with thousands of Melburnians he promises to deliver marriage equality by December 7.

“I’ve got three words for you: yes, yes, and yes,” the Labor leader told the crowd.

“Chloe and I, we want to say to Victorians and to Australians thank you very much for making Australia a more equal country tonight.”

Mr Shorten arrived at the event at the Victorian Trades Hall council building about 5.30pm with his wife Chloe, walking through the thick crowd and skolling a beer handed to him outside the The Curtin pub.

Bill Shorten at the Melbourne celebration. Picture: Simone Fox Koob

On stage he thanked the campaigners and the trade union movement for hosting the event and for their efforts during the last few weeks.

“This survey wasn’t perhaps the most direct route to marriage equality but now that Australia has voted in overwhelming numbers I promise you that by December 7 marriage equality will be a reality,” he said.

“Chloe and I want Australian children to grow up in a country where people are allowed to marry the person they love and today because of the great goodwill of the Australian people marriage equality is now inevitable.”

The Melbourne event is at capacity, with queues snaking down the side streets around the designated area which has been cordoned off. Police estimate there are about 5,000 people inside.

A section of Lygon Street at the top of Melbourne’s CBD has been been closed for the street party, with organisers expecting over 5,000 people. A team of over 40 security guards and Victoria Police officers are manning the event, which was organised by United for Marriage Equality, Equal Love and Australian Marriage Equality groups.

Premier Daniel Andrews also addressed the crowd.

“I could not be more proud today to know that the highest vote of any state was recorded right here in Victoria,” he said, adding the LGBTI community had fought for years for today’s result.

“Thank you for your courage to fight this fight and delivering this victory. A lot of people have been hurt in lots of different ways over a very long period of time, but certainly in recent weeks.”

“An emphatic Yes makes everyone feel a little bit better I think,” he said.

The official event ends at 10pm and more performances will continue in bars and pubs nearby.

Bill Shorten is embraced by a party goer in Melbourne. Picture: Simone Fox Koob.

Melbourne’s Lord Mayor Robert Doyle said he had been close to tears all day. He then pledged to the crowd he was going to become a marriage celebrant: “I want to be marrying you on the portico at Town Hall.”

“You are a pack of bloody champions,” he said. “I love this city like you do.”

Despite the rain, a mixed crowd of families, young people and elderly Australians have gathered to celebrate the result.

Melbourne couple Elaine and Lyn have been together for 27 years.

As they watched the result with friends and champagne this morning, they said they felt they had been part of what will be remembered as a historic moment for the country.

“It means that we and the next generation don’t have to have these fights,” she said. “All our friends and family have accepted us but when you get to this next level of marriage there is a lot of silence. A lot of people we thought were supporting, weren’t so supporting (during the campaign), so that’s been tough.”

Vasthi Evans was attending with her two kids, Eva, 11 and Kami, 9, wearing the Australian Marriage Equality shirts.

“This is wonderful, I got the news today at work, we stood round the computer at work and watched the result, its amazing,” she said. “I was saying to the children, this is a historical day, we bought the t-shirts and will keep them. It’s a day where we really have equality.”

6.55pm: Yes vote brings pink windfall

The yes vote for legalising same-sex marriage could bring businesses a massive windfall of “pink dollars” as tens of thousands of gay couples tie the knot, economists say.

With nearly 50,000 same-sex couples in Australia, and countless gay tourists who could come to the country to marry, the wedding industry is in for a boom.

“We’ve got this pent-up demand and we could see over the next year or so, once the legislation is passed, a sharp increase in the number of weddings,” ANZ senior economist Felicity Emmett told AFP.

The ANZ estimated the boon to business generated by gay weddings in the first year after legalisation could surpass Aus$650 million.

Other immediate financial benefits could include an increase in overseas visitors who choose to marry and honeymoon in the nation, and Australian expats returning to get hitched.

“From a tourism point of view, the pink dollar is big business and same-sex marriage tourism is on the rise,” Tourism Australia managing director John O’Sullivan said.

“Nearly half of LGBTI couples who tied the knot in New Zealand last year came from other countries. Legalising same-sex marriage would undoubtedly bring similar... tourism benefits.” There are also long-term benefits from giving same-sex couples certainty in their relationship status, University of Sydney senior economics lecturer Hayley Fisher said.

“They can make better commitments to each other and decisions about investing in their relationships that may also have flow-on effects to the economy,” Fisher told AFP.

“We can expect to see things like more home ownership for same-sex couples.”

More than 30 major business leaders voiced support for marriage reform earlier this year, telling Malcolm Turnbull in a letter that it was “very clear... the business case for supporting civil marriage equality is compelling”.

“Enabling loving, committed couples to be married, regardless of their sexual orientation will contribute to a stronger economy and a more inclusive Australia.” Benefits of the “pink dollar” have already led more businesses to lend their names to high-profile events such as the iconic Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras, which generates millions for Sydney’s economy each year.

AAP

6.20pm: What they said about the ‘yes’ result:

Malcolm Turnbull: “The Australian people have spoken in their millions and they have voted overwhelmingly ‘yes’ for marriage equality. Now it is our job to deliver it.”

Bill Shorten: “Today we celebrate, tomorrow we legislate.”

Kylie Minogue on Twitter: “Love is love, always was love, always will be love.”

Qantas CEO Alan Joyce: “I was so proud of Ireland in May 2015 when they became the first nation in the world to vote for marriage equality. But today I am even more proud of Australia, the country of my selection.”

Former Olympian Ian Thorpe: “What today means is, it’s brought us all together under the law. It speaks of a fairer and more equitable Australia.”

Comedian Magda Szubanski: “None of us can live in a bubble where we try to pretend other people don’t exist ... we can rely on the Australian people to do the bloody right thing.”

Christine Forster: “Assuming this legislation gets passed quickly, as it should, kids ... can know they have the same opportunities, the same future, the same rights, the same equality under the law that everybody else does.”

Tony Abbott: “I congratulate the ‘yes’ campaign on their achievement.The people have spoken and, of course, the parliament should respect the result.”

Coalition for Marriage spokesman Lyle Shelton: “While we are naturally disappointed in today’s result, we accept and respect the decision of the Australian people.”

No campaigner Dr Pansy Lai: “During the campaign, people who expressed a belief in traditional marriage have been targeted and I am concerned those people will not be protected.”

FamilyVoice Australia national director Ashley Saunders: “If they decide to ignore both our heritage and our biological reality by redefining marriage, then they must also enact broad and rigorous protections for the large percentage of Australians with religious or conscientious objections to it.”

Catholic Archbishop of Sydney Anthony Fisher: “While I do not deny the good will of many who voted ‘yes’, I am deeply disappointed that the likely result will be legislation to further deconstruct marriage and family in Australia.”

4.49pm: Brandis brokers a deal

Attorney-General George Brandis has proposed amendments to provide broader protections for religious freedoms to accompany a same sex marriage bill in the parliament after striking a last minute deal with conservatives.

The Australian can reveal there were plans to try and use Senate procedure to try and stall a same sex marriage bill proposed by West Australian Liberal Senator Dean Smith over concerns it did not adequately address the views of nearly 5 million people who had voted No.

The President of the Senate -- Scott Ryan -- was forced to check whether there was going to be any objection to the bill before allowing Senator Brandis to speak.

Senator Brandis told the Senate it was his view and the view of the Prime Minister that any bill to legalise same sex marriage should be accompanied by “strong protections for freedom of religion and freedom of conscience.”

He said he would propose two major changes.

The first would ensure civil marriage celebrants would be able to conscientiously object to marrying a gay couple.

The second -- and more sweeping change -- would ensure that people of faith were not punished or discriminated against for adhering to and promoting traditional marriage as consistent with their religion.

“Different Senators will have their own views about whether the protections in Senator Smith’s bill go far enough. I myself would prefer to see them go further,” he said.

“So I foreshadow that, in the committee stage of the debate, I will move an amendment to extend the right of conscientious objection to performing a ceremony of marriage from ministers of religion to include civil marriage celebrants as well.”

“I will also move an amendment to make it clear that nothing in the bill makes it unlawful for people to hold and to express the views of their own religion on the subject of marriage. Such an amendment would not in any way derogate from the primary purpose of the bill to enable same sex couples to marry.”

LNP Senator Barry O’Sullivan -- who had earlier today been considering using parliamentary procedure to temporarily stall the bill -- welcomed the comments from Senator Brandis, saying there were 5 million Australian who were “cautious” about the legalisation of same sex marriage.

“I want to be certain that people out there that want the protections to which they are entitled, know they have strong voices still within this due process. And we will debate it and bring amendments respectfully,” he said. “We want to create legislation here that brings a nation together and doesn’t leave the potential for a nation to be divided.”

Labor Senate Leader Penny Wong did not attack or rule out support for the amendments flagged by Senator Brandis, but said Australians had not voted to deepen discrimination against gay couples.

“We do have the view that the Australian people voted to lessen discrimination and not to extend it,” she said. “That is our view.”

“We also do take the view that the Senate committee bill does not change nor take away any existing protections for religious freedom.”

Greens Leader Richard Di Natale said his party would not enter into any discussion that extended discrimination, suggesting Senator Brandis was only trying to appease conservatives within his own party.

3.49pm: Paterson concedes

Liberal Senator James Paterson has conceded that it is clear the majority of senators believe his colleague Dean Smith’s Bill is “where we should start” in terms of legislating for same sex marriage.

Earlier this week Senator Paterson put forward his own bill, proposing much stronger protections for religious freedom.

“I am very pleased with the strong “Yes” result today. At last, same sex couples will be able to get married, as I have long advocated,” Senator Paterson said in a statement on Facebook.

“The parliament must now quickly pass a bill to legalise same sex marriage. It is clear the majority of senators believe my colleague Senator Dean Smith’s Bill is where we should start.

“I will now work constructively with my parliamentary colleagues over the coming weeks on amendments to ensure that the strongest possible protections for the freedoms of all Australians are enshrined in the final legislation.”

3.20pm:Map doesn’t lie

Click the map above to see how your electorate voted

Voters in Tony Abbott’s northern-Sydney electorate have sent their local MP an unequivocal message: we don’t agree with your opposition to same-sex marriage. The former prime minister wasn’t the only MP whose views on marriage were rebuffed by the people they purport to represent in parliament. Western Sydney Labor MPs, who backed the right of same-sex couples to marry, were at odds with their constituents.

In Mr Abbott’s seat of Warringah, there was a 75 per cent ‘yes’ vote - one of the highest in the country.

On the other side of Sydney Harbour, Malcolm Turnbull’s electorate of Wentworth voted 80.8 per cent in favour of change.

That compared to the national ‘yes’ vote of 61.6 per cent.

In Opposition Leader Bill Shorten’s Melbourne seat of Maribyrnong there was a 59.9 per cent ‘yes’ vote.

Liberal MP Kevin Andrews, a prominent opponent of same-sex marriage, was at odds with his electorate of Menzies, which recorded a 57 per cent ‘yes’ vote. The western Sydney electorate of Blaxland - held by Labor frontbencher Jason Clare - returned the lowest ‘yes’ vote in the country at 26.1 per cent despite their MP’s support for gay marriage.

Colleague Chris Bowen was also at odds with his McMahon electorate, with nearly 65 per cent voting ‘no’.

ABC election expert Antony Green said large portions of Western Sydney’s population were born in non-English-speaking countries and the issue of gay marriage runs across cultural and religious lines.

“Gay marriage doesn’t fit into the Australian political structure very well because it’s not a class-based issue,” he told ABCTV.

“It cuts across party lines, which is why the parties themselves have struggled to deal with the issue in recent years.” Even in the central Queensland seat of Dawson, held by conservative Nationals MP George Christensen, the ‘yes’ vote was in the majority at 55.1 per cent. Nearly two-thirds of voters in the Brisbane electorate of Dickson voted ‘yes’, against the view of MP Peter Dutton.

The ‘yes’ vote prevailed in all states and territories, according to figures released at 10am on Wednesday by the Australian Bureau of Statistics. Every electorate in Tasmania said ‘yes’, despite high-profile opposition from Liberal senator Eric Abetz.

Liberal colleague Dean Smith can introduce his same-sex marriage bill knowing 63.7 per cent of his fellow Western Australians back the change. The ACT produced the strongest ‘yes’ result in the country at 74 per cent. -AAP

Senate Question Time ends

3.10pm: Cash gets a grilling

Labor’s Doug Cameron grills Employment Minister Michaelia Cash over using taxpayer funds to defend allegations former ABCC boss Nigel Hadgkiss broke the low.

“On what basis did the minister form the judgement that Mr Hadgkiss had acted reasonably and responsibly?”

Cash says Hadgkiss denied doing anything wrong so she agreed to defend him.

“The assistance I approve was consistent with the Federal Court’s findings that he was careless but he did not intend to contravene ...the Fair Work Act,” Cash says.

She says she does not yet know how much his legal costs were.

And with that, Senate QT ends.

2.55pm: Labor continue Fifield questioning

Labor senator Louise Pratt asks what Communications Minister Mitch Fifield what advice he gave former Senate president Stephen Parry when they discussed his citizenship concerns a month ago.

“I didn’t advise, suggest or direct what Senator Pratt is suggesting. What I did was to encourage him to do what he was seeking to do - and that was to check his own family’s records,” Fifield says.

Labor’s Penny Wong yells: “Three ministers referred to the High Court and you didn’t think you needed to tell anyone.”

2.44pm:Free trade negotiations with Taiwan stalled

Liberal Democrats senator David Leyonhjelm asks if Australia’s free trade negotiations with Taiwan were on track, as promised by former trade minister Andrew Robb.

George Brandis says any trade agreement with Taiwan would be consistent with Australia recognising the One China policy.

“Taiwan is an important economic partner for Australia and our bilateral relationship continues to expand. The government is open to the possibility of pursuing better market access arrangements and closer economic cooperation with Taiwan,” Brandis says.

Leyonhjelm responds: “I will take that as a no”.

He then asks if threats from China had no threats on Australia’s trade negotiations with Taiwan.

Brandis says no.

2.40pm:Controversial ‘No’ doctor fears reprisals

A Sydney doctor who was the face of the campaign against same-sex marriage fears ‘No’ voters could be targeted for their beliefs unless safeguards are put in place.

Pediatrician Pansy Lai shot to fame in a controversial ad funded by the Coalition For Marriage in which she raised concerns about the erosion of parental rights if gay marriage was legalised.

Dr Lai became the target of political attacks culminating in a petition to de- register her.

Speaking on Wednesday after it was revealed more than 60 per cent of survey respondents backed gay marriage, Dr Lai said legal protections would need to be drawn up for the “four out of 10 Australians who believe in traditional marriage”.

“During the campaign people who expressed a belief in traditional marriage have been targeted and I am concerned those people will not be protected,” she said at a No event in Sydney.

“It’s not right for people’s livelihoods to be taken away over their beliefs on marriage and it’s not right for parental rights to be taken away if they disagree with the radical gender and sexuality teaching in schools.” Dr Lai’s reputation as a doctor was called into question in the wake of the ad but she said even her patients who disagreed with her views had been supportive.

“No voters or people concerned about radical education in schools are not trying to discriminate against anyone,” she said. -AAP

Pansy Lai. Picture: Britta Campion / The Australian.

2.38pm:Christine Forster to marry in February

Tony Abbott’s sister Christine Forster is planning a summer wedding in Sydney with her long-term partner after Australia said ‘yes’ to marriage equality. Ms Forster, who has been engaged to Virginia Edwards for four years, joined thousands of gay marriage supporters in Sydney’s Prince Alfred Park on Wednesday to celebrate victory in the national postal survey.

She said it would mean “everything” to get married on Australian soil and Ms Edwards said their plans were well underway.

“We’ve booked a date, we’ve booked our venue, we’ve got our rings, we’ve got our beautiful designer and we’re doing it on the 2nd of Feb,” Ms Edwards told AAP.

AAP

Christine Forster, the sister of former Prime Minister Tony Abbott, celebrates after watching the same sex marriage vote. Picture: AAP Image/David Moir.

2.30pm: Canavan rips into Palaszczuk over Adani decision

Resources Minister Matt Canavan savages Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk for failing to tell Adani why it has pulled its support for a concessional loan for the project.

“It is remarkable that, 12 days since she announced that she was pulling her support from the project, the Premier has apparently yet to even speak to Adani about her decision, and explain to them why she has done this monumental backflip,” Canavan says.

Eric Abetz, meanwhile, makes a late entry into Senate QT.

2.19pm: ‘Important day in the history of human rights in Australia’

It takes us 15 minutes, and a question from Greens senator Janet Rice, for same-sex marriage to get a run in Senate QT.

“How will the government facilitate the actual passage of legislation to reflect Australia’s overwhelming vote for equality that was announced today?”

Senator George Brandis says the yes victory was a an “important day in the history of human rights in Australia” while adding the victory was higher than he expected.

He says the government will facilitate a private-members bill to be debated in parliament.

“It is an important day on which we acknowledge and finally strike down this barrier of discrimination against people on the grounds of their sexuality,” he says.

Rice asks if the legislation will all businesses to refuse services to gay people.

Brandis says he doesn’t think it should.

“I don’t believe they should be rolled back, and I think you and I have the same view on this matter,” Brandis says.

“What we will do is what we said we would do in the event of a Yes vote - that is, we will facilitate debate on a private senators’ bill to give effect to the decision of the Australian people that the law should be changed to allow same-sex couples to marry.”

Liberal senator Eric Abetz, a strong No voter, was absent from the Senate.

2.12pm: Cash focus to begin QT

Senate QT doesn’t broach same-sex marriage for the fiirst 10 minutes.

Labor senator Don Farrell asks Employment Minister Michaelia Cash to explain the principle of ministerial responsibility.

A clear attempt to wedge her due to her staffer tipping off the media of police raids on the headquarters of the Australian Workers Union.

Cash says she never misled the Senate, leading to gibes from Labor.

“You are doing it again,” says Labor’s Murray Watt, while Doug Cameron yells “just resign”.

Farrell follows up by asking if Cash takes responsibility for the leak.

Cash says her staffer resigned as soon as she became aware of the leak.

2.00pm: How will senators vote?

How will each senator vote? Will they support the Dean Smith bill? Full breakdown below.

1.31pm: Public’s message is clear: Plibersek

Deputy Labor leader Tanya Plibersek says the large win for the Yes campaign should compel the parliament to “get on and legislate for marriage equality”.

“This sends an unequivocal message now, that Parliament should just get on and legislate for marriage equality,” Ms Plibersek told the ABC at a rally in Sydney’s Prince Albert Park.

“There’s a consensus bill being introduced into the Senate today and every parliamentarian who supports marriage equality should get behind this bill.

“If it passes through the Senate quickly it can go through the House of Representatives when we return, and we can have marriage equality by Christmas.”

She rejected there should be amendments to the Dean Smith bill or that an alternative bill should be considered.

“That bill can swiftly pass the Senate and it can be decided on in the last sitting week in November or the first sitting week in December when the House of Representatives returns. That is what should happen,” Ms Plibersek said.

“All of the talk of an alternate bill or dozens of amendments - this is from the people who have already wasted Australia’s time and money trying to delay marriage equality.

“Australians having voted for marriage equality will not tolerate more time and more money being wasted by the opponents trying to delay the inevitable.”

Yes to love, yes to equality! 🏳️‍🌈 A historic day. A day of celebration and pride!



No more delays, no more excuses - it’s time to make marriage equality law now. pic.twitter.com/og3xnmrqag — Tanya Plibersek (@tanya_plibersek) November 14, 2017

1.27pm: Smith bill not sufficient: Howard

Former prime minister John Howard says the Dean Smith bill is not sufficient in protecting parental rights and the freedom of speech and religion.

But in a shot across the bows at senator James Paterson’s bill, Mr Howard said the debate should not “get hung up” on whether cake makers and florists should be allowed to conscientiously object to supplying their services to gay wedding.

“Clearly the decision of the public should be respected by the parliament but I think it is also very important that quite legitimate concerns that were raised by many people, including me and my friend and former deputy prime minister John Anderson, about the protection of parental rights, religious freedoms and freedom of speech,” Mr Howard said.

John Howard: The decision of the public should be respected by parliament, but freedoms should be protected. MORE: https://t.co/wX3tAbXkD4 pic.twitter.com/4xxCYosXQs — Sky News Australia (@SkyNewsAust) November 15, 2017

“These are not small matters. It is a pity that the government, as I asked, had not spelled out before the vote how these matters were going to be covered in any enabling legislation.

“I don’t regard the Dean Smith bill as being sufficient. I think the two things that really do matter are freedom of religion and speech and parental rights.”

Mr Howard added the Turnbull government’s decision to hold the postal survey had been “vindicated” by the high turnout.

1pm: Bernardi’s ‘battle’ plan

Australian Conservatives leader Cory Bernardi says he’s disappointed by the result of the same-sex marriage postal survey, but heartened by the fact that almost 40 per cent of Australians “shared our concerns about the implications and consequences of redefining marriage”.

“Those consequences will impact upon our freedom of speech, our freedom of religion, our freedom of conscience, and we could see these activists emboldened now to roll out the abhorrent Safe Schools program through every school in our country, and that’s why we can’t rest on our laurels,” Senator Bernardi told supporters in a Facebook video.

He has launched a petition to ‘defend religious freedoms’, declaring that the ‘battle’ has begun.

“One thing is important today, that there was only one political party that campaigned for the No vote, and that was the Australian Conservatives. Everyone else had a bob each way.

“If you believe some things are really important, if you believe the structures that have built western civilisation are worth protecting and defending, you need to become an Australian Conservative.”

12.55pm: Religious protections ‘intact’

Labor frontbencher Anthony Albanese says the Dean Smith bill has enough religious protections.

Mr Albanese said it was a “great day” for the Yes vote to carry the survey but urged the parliament to change the Marriage Act “as a matter of urgency”.

He savaged the bill proposed by Liberal senator James Paterson which has far-reaching religious protections that would have superseded anti-discrimination laws.

“I think the protections that are there in the Smith bill have been thought through,” Mr Albanese told Sky News.

“I’m a strong supporter of a conscience vote being a process. I’m a strong supporter of religious liberty. I think the question of religious liberty should be viewed very separately from the issue of marriage equality.

“I think that it is unfortunate that those issues have been mixed up, or attempted to be mixed up by Senator Patterson, who frankly, I had barely heard of.”

12.25pm: Yes stronghold

Labor frontbencher Andrew Leigh has hailed gay marriage supporters in his Canberra electorate as the ACT produced the strongest Yes vote in Australia.

Mr Leigh, the Member for Fenner, said it was great 74 per cent of Canberrans voted in favour of changing the Marriage Act.

“This is a huge tribute to the campaigners who have worked so hard on getting this vote up. There have been thousands of people across Australia working together as part of the Equality campaign,” Mr Leigh told a rally at Haig Park.

“They didn’t want to have to go through this process, but gee they’ve done a fantastic job and they should sleep well tonight.”

12.10pm: A ‘win for common sense’

Business Council of Australia chief executive Jennifer Westacott has hailed the Yes vote as a victory for “common sense” and “decency”.

Ms Westacott told No voters there was nothing to fear from the result.

“Our political leaders should legislate for marriage equality as soon as possible but they should also do so with respect to those who voted No. This respect does not mean the creation of complex and confusing legislation which permits discrimination,” Ms Westacott said.

“The mainstream Yes campaign has been overwhelmingly respectful and positive over the last few months and I’m confident that the next stage of this process can be conducted in the same way.”

Australia says Yes Former PM Tony Abbott’s sister Christine Forster celebrates after the same-sex marriage postal survey result announcement at Prince Regent Park in Sydney. Picture: AAP Image/David Moir Celebrations breakout at the State Library of Victoria in Melbourne after the Yes result announcemet. Picture: Getty/Scott Barbour +10 Opposition leader Bill Shorten celebrates the Yes result in Melbourne with lesbian couple Jacki and Louise. Picture: Ted McDonnell. Crowds celebrate the Yes result at a picnic held by the Equality Campaign at Prince Regent Park in Sydney. Picture: AAP Image/David Moir Qantas CEO Alan Joyce stands with his partner speaks after the Yes result announce at Sydney’s Prince Regent Park. Picture: AAP Image/David Moir Two women celebrate after the same-sex marriage vote result announcement in Sydney. Picture:AAP Image/David Moir Former Olympic swimmer Ian Thorpe speaks in Sydney after the same-sex marriage vote result announcement. Picture: AAP Image/David Moir Brad Harker and Scott D’Amico celebrate the Yes result with a kiss. Picture: Peter Wallis Labor Senator Louise Pratt waves a rainbow flag at Parliament House in Canberra. Picture: Gary Ramage Delwyn Cox celebrates the Yes result at Adelaide’s Hindmarsh Square. Picture: Calum Robertson Opposition Leader Bill Shorten is embraced by a same-sex marriage supporter during the official same-sex marriage postal survey result announcement at the State Library of Victoria. Picture: Getty/Scott Barbour Same-sex marriage supporters celebrate the Yes result announcement at Adelaide’s Hindmarsh Square. Picture: Calum Robertson Labor Senator Penny Wong reacts to the Yes result as she and other politicians watch a live broadcast of the result announcement in Canberra. Picture: AAP Image/Dean Lewins

11.55am: Labor MP’s interesting position

Labor frontbencher Tony Burke says he will stand by his election commitment to vote in favour of same-sex marriage legislation, despite 70 per cent of his Western Sydney electorate of Watson voting No.

“I went to the last election with a commitment to vote yes. That doesn’t change,” Mr Burke tweeted.

“My community knows that if they are treated with prejudice, vilified, or marginalised in any way I will stand up for them regardless of polls. The same applies to this issue.”

I went to the last election with a commitment to vote yes. That doesn’t change. My community knows that if they are treated with prejudice, vilified, or marginalised in any way I will stand up for them regardless of polls. The same applies to this issue.https://t.co/nDUmmSRAVQ — Tony Burke (@Tony_Burke) November 15, 2017

11.45am: Andrews take the cake

Liberal MP Kevin Andrews says gay bakers should be able to deny making cakes for heterosexual weddings, while Jewish bakers should be allowed to object to making cakes for an Islamic wedding.

The conservative MP is pushing for far-reaching religious protections in a same-sex marriage bill and said he would have no problem with the bakers denying making cakes for weddings if it was against their conviction.

“I don’t have a problem if there if a gay baker who said ‘I don’t want to bake a cake for a heterosexual wedding or I don’t want to bake a cake for a Christian or Islamic celebration,” Mr Andrews told Sky News.

He added a Jewish baker should be able to deny making a cake for an Islamic wedding.

11.40am: Surprise at NSW No numbers

Labor MP Terri Butler says the opposition would support the Dean Smith bill rather than pushing for stronger religious protections despite a swag of Labor electorates voting No in the same-sex marriage survey.

Ms Butler said she was surprised NSW produced the lowest vote in favour of same-sex marriage while Labor-held seats in western Sydney — including the electorates of Chris Bowen, Jason Clare and Tony Burke — were among the strongest No votes in the nation.

“Nobody would have thought that NSW would have the lowest of all of the yes votes, the home of Mardi Gras and such a strong supportive place for marriage equality in Sydney,” Ms Butler told the ABC.

She said the Dean Smith bill was a “reasonable compromise” and should be passed through the parliament.

“There are compromises in that bill for those of us who support very strongly marriage equality, for example, the creation of a whole new class of celebrants that would be allowed to continue to discriminate,” Ms Butler said.

“It represents a compromise from us and I would like to think that the Prime Minister would show leadership in bringing his party to support that bill.

“There are other alternatives out there but, for example the James Paterson bill, I’ve had a look at it, it seeks to entrench a right to discriminate, that’s really what that bill does.”

11.40am: Rainbow colours

Uber has turned rainbow today 🌈🌈🌈🌈 pic.twitter.com/7iUepBITk8 — Prof Kerryn Phelps (@drkerrynphelps) November 15, 2017

11.30am: Catholic Archbishop responds

Catholic Archbishop of Sydney Anthony Fisher says he was both “disappointed and heartened” by the result of the postal survey.

Archbishop Fisher said “only 48 per cent of eligible voters voted Yes” while including the 20 per cent of voters who not participate.

Sydney Catholic Archbishop Anthony Fisher. Picture: AAP

“While I do not deny the good will of many who voted Yes, I am deeply disappointed that the likely result will be legislation to further deconstruct marriage and family in Australia,” Archbishop Fisher said.

“But I am heartened that millions of Australians still stand by the conviction that marriage is a unique relationship between a man and woman. In fact, only 48 per cent of eligible voters voted Yes to redefining marriage in law.

“To the many already-married couples and those contemplating it I say: don’t let this decision dishearten you or undermine your appreciation of the sanctity of real marriage.”

11.25am: Andrews discusses No defeat

Liberal MP Kevin Andrews says he expected the Yes case to win the postal survey, declaring the survey question hitting an “emotive chord” in the community.

“There is a sense that, whether one agrees with it or not, this is a reasonable thing to do and that is reflected by the result,” Mr Andrews said.

Mr Andrews, a conservative and strong No campaigner, said he expects same-sex marriage to be legalised by the end of the year. But he warned the Smith bill did not have enough religious protections.

He said he would look at the national vote, the vote of his electorate (which was a Yes) and the religious protections before deciding how he would vote on a bill to legalise gay marriage.

“My concern, and I think for millions of Australians the concern, is about ensuring if you do have this change we protect freedoms of religion and belief,” Mr Andrews told Sky News.

He said No voters should be “gracious and accepting” in the outcome of the result.

Kevin Andrews says Islamic bakers should be able to refuse to bake cakes for Jewish weddings and visa versa #auspol — Annika Smethurst (@annikasmethurst) November 15, 2017

11.25am: ‘Yes’ top ten

Of the top 10 Yes-voting electorates, five are held by the Coalition: Malcolm Turnbull’s Wentworth, Trevor Evans’ Brisbane, Kelly O’Dwyer’s Higgins, Tim Wilson’s Goldstein and Tony Abbott’s Warringah.

Four of the top 10 are held by Labor — Tanya Plibersek’s Sydney, Michael Danby’s Melbourne Ports, Anthony Albanese’s Grayndler and Terri Butler’s Griffith — and one by the Greens’ Adam Bandt.

The nine highest No-voting electorates are all Labor-held: Jason Clare’s Blaxland, Tony Burke’s Watson, Chris Bowen’s McMahon, Anne Stanley’s Werriwa, Chris Hayes’ Fowler, Julie Owens’ Parramatta, Ed Husic’s Chifley, Maria Vamvakinou’s Calwell and Linda Burney’s Barton.

The LNP’s David Littleproud holds the 10th highest No electorate, Maranoa.

11.20am: People have had their say, Abbott says

Tony Abbott says he has always believed same-sex marriage is an issue where the Australian people wanted to have their say.

“Today’s result demonstrates that seeking their views was the right thing to do,” Mr Abbott said.

“I congratulate the “yes” campaign on their achievement.

Tony Abbott.

“The people have spoken and, of course, the parliament should respect the result.”

Mr Abbott also thanked “the 4.7 million Australians who supported marriage between a man and a woman.”

“Both the Prime Minister and the Opposition Leader have pledged their support for freedom of religion,” Mr Abbott said.

“I look forward to a parliamentary process that improves on the Dean Smith bill to implement same sex marriage with freedom of conscience for all, not just the churches.

“So far, this process has been a credit to us as a nation and now needs to be completed in a way that keeps us the best country in the world.”

11.15am: A surprising result

Tony Abbott’s electorate of Warringah, on Sydney’s northern beaches, made the top 10 for Yes-voting electorates. The conservative Liberal former prime minister’s seat recorded a 75 per cent Yes vote, putting it in 10th place.

The Liberal electorate of strong same-sex marriage advocate Tim Wilson recorded the highest response rate to the postal survey, with 86.04% of people on the electoral roll in Goldstein, in Melbourne’s south, lodging a vote.

Goldstein recorded the ninth highest Yes vote, at 76.3%.

11.10am: Jubilation

11.10am: Penny Wong breaks down

Labor Senate Leader Penny Wong thanked Australians for standing up for fairness, equality and same-sex families like hers.

“Thank you for standing up for the sort of Australia we believe in, an Australia that is decent, an Australia that is fair, an Australia which is accepting, an Australia which turns its back on exclusion and division,” Senator Wong told a press conference held in conjunction with Liberal Dean Smith, Greens leader Richard Di Natale, and a range of cross-party pro same-sex marriage senators.

“Now Australians have done their part. It’s time for the parliament to do our part, and together we will.

“Together this group, gathered here today from across the political spectrum, we will do our part, and I hope that everyone in this parliament has heard the resounding voice of the Australian people today.

“A mandate for change, a mandate for fairness, a mandate for equality, because it is time. It is time to change the marriage law, it is time to remove discrimination, it is time for equality.”

Senator Wong said LGBTIQ Australians should see the result as a message of “solidarity, support and decency” from their fellow Australians.

Penny Wong weeps as other senators celebrate the Yes verdict from Australian voters. Picture: Gary Ramage

11.05am: Senator’s bill a step closer

Dean Smith says he couldn’t be prouder of Australians for the result they have delivered.

“Advance Australia Fair. I’m proud to be a senator, I’m proud to be West Australian. I’ve never been more proud to stand up and represent Australian people than I was this morning when I listened to that result,” Senator Smith said.

11am: Melbourne parties

Hugs, kisses and party music have created a party atmosphere in Melbourne as Bill Shorten told a large crowd of Yes supporters “Today we celebrate, tomorrow we legislate.”

With a touch of his old union leader verve, he yelled from the podium:

“Yes, Yes, Yes!

“What a fabulous day to be an Australian, because in this survey the Australian people have declared overwhelmingly Australia is ready for marriage equality.”

Kissing in the crowd, Adam Trumble and his partner Peter Herewila said they planned to party for the rest of the day and into the night.

“It’s a crime that almost 40 per cent of the population saw a reason to vote No,” Mr Trumble said.

“I don’t think there’s any doubt now. The politicians have to heed the result.”

10.55am: Abetz congratulates Yes camp

Outspoken conservative senator Eric Abetz has congratulated the Yes campaign on a “clear victory”, saying he regrets but respects the result.

“I regret the decision of my fellow Australians, but the way our system works, you’ve got to respect it and I have no doubt that by Christmas or thereabouts we will have (same sex marriage),” Senator Abetz told ABC TV.

The Tasmanian Liberal said 61.6 per cent was a “strong win” in anyone’s language.

However, Senator Abetz warned against “dropping a blade and bulldozing forward” with legislation which does not offer sufficient protection of religious freedoms, saying he favours Senator James Paterson’s bill over their colleague Dean Smith’s.

“It delivers for the Yes vote, but it alleviates a lot of the concerns of the No vote up by protecting these fundamental virtues and values inherent and embedded in Liberal beliefs, namely parental rights, freedom of speech, freedom of religion and freedom of conscience,” Senator Abetz said.

10.55am:‘No’ reaction

Huge applause as Lyle Shelton walks in the room for No camp press conference #SSM pic.twitter.com/2f0NHsMoRV — Charis Chang (@CharisChang2) November 14, 2017

10.50am: ‘Love has the last word’

Bill Shorten has declared it is a “fabulous day to be an Australian” after the Yes vote was carried in the same-sex marriage survey.

“In this survey the Australian people have declared overwhelmingly Australia is ready for marriage equality,” Mr Shorten said at a rally in Melbourne.

“I want to say thank you first and foremost to members of our LGBTQI community. You shouldn’t have had to put up with this survey, but you embraced it.

“I feel for young people who had their relationships questioned in a way which I wouldn’t have thought we would see ever again, but nonetheless what this marriage survey shows is that unconditional love always has the last word.”

Mr Shorten said same-sex marriage should be legalised as quickly as possible.

Today we celebrate, tomorrow we legislate,” he said.

10.45am: Qantas CEO Joyce reacts

Qantas CEO Alan Joyce has lauded the result.

“What a proud moment for Australia. It’s the epitome of a ‘fair go’ and shows that as a nation we want to be more inclusive, not less.

“I think that’s something worth celebrating whether this decision affects you or not. It’s certainly something the global community will take notice of.

“The outpouring of support for marriage equality over the past few months has been really heartening. People from all walks of life stood up to be counted, including the business community.

“It’s now over to Canberra to make sure they act on what the people have told them.”

10.40am: Turnbull: ‘Let’s get on with it’

Malcolm Turnbull has issued a warning to the parliament to “get on with it” and legalise same-sex marriage by the end of the year as a labelled the survey result “unequivocal”.

The Prime Minister said the legislating same-sex marriage should happen by Christmas after an “overwhelming” 61.6 per cent of voters supported a change to the Marriage Act in the postal survey.

“They voted yes for fairness, yes for commitment, yes for love. And now it is up to us here in the parliament of Australia to get on with it, to get on with the job the Australian people have tasked asked to do and get this done this year before Christmas,” Mr Turnbull said.

“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 is unequivocal, it is overwhelming. They are our masters, we who were elected to parliament. It is our job now to get on with it, get on with it and get this done. It is fair. The people have voted yes for marriage equality. Now it is our job to deliver it.”

Mr Turnbull said there would be a free vote in the parliament but warned Australia was a nation of a “fair go” as conservatives push for far-reaching religious protections that would override anti-discrimination laws.

Malcolm Turnbull says same-sex marriage legislation is the next step. Picture: AAP

“Protecting religious freedom and freedom of speech is very important. But equally we are a nation of a fair go and neutral respect and we treat people equally,” Mr Turnbull said.

“We don’t discriminate against people because of their gender or their sexual orientation, religion or race or the colour of their skin. So we are the nation of the fair go.”

He said he had not heard about the bill sponsored by Liberal senator James Paterson on Monday and believed the Smith bill would be the “first draft” of the laws.

“The virtue of the Smith Bill, as we will call it, is that it has been around for quite a long time, months and months. I think it was first published, released in August,” he said.

“It can serve the purpose as being the first draft.”

Finance Minister Mathias Cormann said the Smith bill would probably be the “starting point” but he warned it would need amendments. He said the Paterson bill went “too far”.

“I believe there is majority put forward in the Senate for the Smith Bill to be the starting point personally I believe that the Smith Bill will need some improvements,” Senator Cormann said.

“Personally I believe that the Patterson bill goes somewhat too far. I would like to think that the parliament will be able to meet somewhere in between to give effect to the decision of the Australian people and to also ensure that we accommodate the legitimate concern of many Australians for that to be appropriate levels of religious protections.”

10.35am: Tears, hugs, dancing

There was the tiniest of pauses as the crowd of thousands at Sydney’s Prince Alfred Park attempted to do the maths provided by the Australian Statistician. More than 12.7 million Australians had voted, and more than 7 million had voted Yes.

When the numbers were done the faintest ripple spread through the rainbow-decked throng before applause broke out. Then came the tears, the hugs and the dancing.

The final result was in, same-sex marriage won the vote of the Australian people in every single state and territory.

John-Paul Young’s Love is in the Air cut off the numbers update from the Australian Bureau of Statistics. The crowd knew, for now, what they needed to know.

Magda Szubanski performed an Irish jig on stage with Qantas boss and $1m donor to the Yes campaign before the airline chief gave a pointed message to Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull.

“We didn’t want to go through this, but we went through it,” he said.

“And we now see a message from the Australian people to get on with it, so get on and do it Mr Turnbull it’s now up to you.”

10.25am: A day of celebration, Shorten says

Bill Shorten issued a statement saying it was a “day of celebration for LGBTIQ Australians”.

“Decades of struggle, advocacy and campaigning has won a historic victory,” Mr Shorten said in a joint statement with Tany Plibersek, Penny Wong and Terri Butler.

“This has been a long and difficult campaign for many LGBTIQ people, your families and friends. We salute your courage, strength and determination to win this fight.

“You didn’t want this process and you didn’t deserve it. But you stood up to the haters and you stared down those people that seek to diminish your lives.

“You have taken your campaign for love and equality to across the nation. You have changed hearts and minds.

“And today you have won. The will of the people is now clear. It is time for the Parliament and the Government to finally do its job and get this done.”

10.20am:A shout-out from Ellen

10.15am: ‘Celebrate’

In Melbourne, over a thousand people have celebrated the Yes result outside the State Library.

Rainbow-coloured powder burst from the stage and Kylie Minogue’s “Celebrate” blared from loudspeakers as people danced and hugged.

Bill Shorten is expected to speak to the crowd shortly.

Earlier, the broadcast of the ABS announcement repeatedly dropped out just seconds before the result was given, prompting widespread groans as organisers joked this was “Turnbull’s NBN.”

10.10am: Numbers breakdown

The vast majority of federal electorates — 133 out of 150 — voted in favour of same-sex marriage.

Most of the 17 electorates that voted No were in Sydney’s western, northwestern and southwestern suburbs. Banks, Barton, Bennelong, Blaxland, Chifley, Fowler, Greenway, McMahon, Mitchell, Parramatta, Watson and Werriwa all recorded No votes.

The other five seats that voted No were: Calwell in Melbourne’s northwest and Bruce in Melbourne’s southeast; Groom and Maranoa in western Queensland; and Kennedy in northern Queensland.

10am: Yes to same-sex marriage

Same-sex marriage will be legalised in Australia after 61.6 per cent of voters ticked Yes in the postal survey.

About 79.5 per cent of registered voters participated in the historic survey with a clear majority in favour of giving gay couples to right to marry.

The parliament will now debate how the changes to the Marriage Act will look with Liberal senator Dean Smith to introduce his bill into the Senate today.

Conservatives will seek amendments to his bill to ensure stronger religious protections or support an alternative bill sponsored by Liberal senator James Paterson.

9.45am: Tension mounts in Sydney

Irish marriage equality campaigner who helped win that country’s national referendum on marriage and who has worked on the Australian Yes campaign addressed a crowd of thousands at Prince Alfred Park in Sydney this morning ahead of the survey announcement.

“There are an awful lot of butterflies in an awful lot of stomachs this morning,” he said.

“The journey for a better world, for a better country is a long, long, long one. I know it has been very hard for you. We have had a public vote on our dignity.”

Nice day for it at Sydney’s Prince Alfred Park for the Yes campaign event. #SSM #marriageequality pic.twitter.com/0ipKJ8Qiva — Rick Morton (@SquigglyRick) November 14, 2017

9.25am: Yes supporters gather

Crowds of Yes supporters are gathering around the country to await the result of the same-sex marriage survey.

In Melbourne, a sea of rainbow flags is building outside the State Library of Victoria to watch the 10am announcement.

Felicity Marlowe from Rainbow Families Victoria said she was feeling “optimistic, anxious, excited and worried at the same time”.

“A majority is a majority, the government should act immediately,” she said.

“Any majority is saying that people want equality.

“It can be done and dusted in a day.”

Bill Shorten is due to speak at the Melbourne event, where confetti will fly and Kylie Minogue music will blare if a Yes result is announced.

Yes supporters gather ahead of the release of the SSM poll results.

9.05am: Abetz concedes No likely to lose

Liberal senator Eric Abetz expects the Yes vote to prevail in the same-sex marriage survey.

The conservative Tasmanian said he was still hoping the No vote would win but noted opinion polls had consistently predicted two-thirds of Australians would vote to legalise same-sex marriage.

But he said the Smith bill was “highly deficient” and did not offer adequate religious protections.

“Sadly it is not only the Dean Smith bill it seems to be the Greens-Labor Dean Smith bill whereas the James Paterson bill is a true embrace of classical Liberal values,” Senator Abetz told Sky News.

“It will deliver for the Yes voter if the Yes case gets up because same-sex marriage will be allowed but it will also ameliorate and alleviate the concerns of many No voters in those classic fundamental Liberal areas of parental rights, freedom of speech, freedom of religion, freedom of conscientious objection.

“So I think it is a masterful piece of legislative grafting that incorporates the aspirations of the Yes voter and ameliorates a lot of the concerns of the No voter.”

8.50am: Morrison outlines his SSM plan

Scott Morrison says the Dean Smith bill to legalise same-sex marriage does not offer adequate religious protections.

The Treasurer said this morning he would push for amendments to the bill if the Yes vote prevailed but he would not say which way he would vote on the floor of the House of Representatives.

“If the plebiscite marriage survey today comes back as a Yes then a same-sex bill will be passed by the parliament this year, that will be the outcome and that is the right thing to happen,” Mr Morrison told ABC radio.

Treasurer Scott Morrison. Picture: AAP

“But the content of that bill will be a matter to be determined by the parliament, not along partisan lines, and I would want to see strong religious protections in that bill and I will be supporting amendments that seek to do that.”

Mr Morrison said the protections he would seek to ensure are in any change to the Marriage Act are:

• That parents should be able to withdraw children from instruction in schools that might go against their religious beliefs.

• That organisations which currently receive public support or charitable status under the tax act should not have withdrawn based on continuing to have a view which is consistent with their religious convictions.

• That if people continue to hold, as they indeed will consistent with their religious convictions, traditional views then they should not be discriminated against.

Mr Morrison said the Smith bill did not contain the protections he was seeking but he noted it was “not clear” if the Paterson bill would enter the Senate or whether it would be the best way to legalise same-sex marriage.

“I don’t believe currently the Smith bill contains the protections that I have just outlined but I am confident the parliament will be able to work through this issue and consider the good faith amendments by people who are trying to ensure that we don’t replace one form of discrimination with another,” he said.

8.30am: Paterson SSM bill ‘bizarre’

Liberal MP and same-sex marriage supporter Trent Zimmerman has ridiculed a proposed bill being pushed by James Paterson to protect religious freedoms as part of a revamp of the Marriage Act, AAP reports.

“It really is giving with one hand and grabbing back a whole lot with the other, and I don’t think it’s in the spirit of what Australians will be voting for today,” Mr Zimmerman told ABC radio.

He said he had not heard from a single baker or florist who wanted the right to refuse service to gay couples for their weddings.

It would be “a mockery of the process” if parliament delayed, obfuscated or used political games to delay an outcome on same-sex marriage.

“It is a process that we have to conclude by Christmas if we’re going to keep faith with the Australian people,” Mr Zimmerman said.

“Just as importantly from the government’s perspective, it’s important we finalise this issue so 2018 is a year where we can focus on other things on our agenda.” Cabinet minister Matt Canavan argues the survey result, whichever way it goes, should not be seen as affirmation or rejection of the Smith bill. “There are going to be millions of Australians who have voted ‘no’ and their views deserve to be respected and reflected as well,” he told ABC radio. “We don’t live in a situation where there is a tyranny of the majority here.” The rights and beliefs of minority groups should be protected, Senator Canavan said.

Labor frontbencher Penny Wong said everything Senator Canavan said needed to be judged against his intention to “loudly and aggressively” campaign against marriage equality.

Senator Wong said it was hard to listen to a bloke who had long argued against the views held by the majority of the community to turn around and talk about the tyranny of the majority.

“Senator Canavan has been part of a group inside the Liberal Party who have fought tooth and nail not to bring this into the parliament,” she told ABC radio.

8.15am: Senator Paterson a ‘front man’

Labor Senate leader Penny Wong says parliament should not be “distracted” by Liberal senator James Paterson’s bill to change the Marriage Act if the Yes vote prevails, arguing it was proposed “by those who have opposed equality at every step of the way”.

“If there is a Yes vote today I don’t think it can be spun by conservative politicians that that was a vote to extend discrimination rather than being a vote to lesson discrimination,” Senator Wong told ABC radio.

Senator Penny Wong at Parliament House today. Picture: Kym Smith

Senator Wong said Senator Paterson, a Yes voter, allowed himself to be the front man for a group of conservatives who did not believe in gay marriage.

“I regard the Paterson bill as a distraction, I regard it as an attempt by those who have opposed equality at every step of the way to frustrate it further,” Senator Wong said.

“It is disappointing that James Paterson has allowed himself to be used in this way by people who don’t share by, what I understand to be his view that we should have equality in marriage.”

Senator Wong said religious institutions “already have a licence to discriminate” and conservatives wanted to broaden the discrimination faced by gay people.

“For example against a gay person who may be employed as a teacher, they have the right to treat someone differently even dismiss them because they are gay, they already have a licence to discriminate and what is being argued for is a greater licence to discriminate,” Senator Wong said.

“Now I don’t think Australians voted for that, I don’t think this survey is a vote on expanding the capacity to discriminate in our society.

“It was in fact the opposite it was a vote that was all about whether or not we should have equal rights for same-sex couples in this country.”

7.55am: Canavan hits back at PM

Resources Minister Matt Canavan says Malcolm Turnbull is wrong to claim a conservative push for far reaching religious protections in the event of a Yes vote would make unlawful discrimination legal.

Senator Canavan says a bill sponsored by Liberal senator James Paterson protects the religious freedoms of businesses which do not support same-sex marriage.

He said the Australian people did not vote on the Dean Smith bill and parliament was not obliged to ratify it.

Matt Canavan has voiced his support for James Paterson’s religious freedoms bill. Picture: AAP

“I don’t agree with the Prime Minister that this (James Paterson) bill makes activities which are currently illegal legal,” Senator Canavan told ABC radio.

“The bill does a number of things that relate to what would happen in the event that same-sex marriage is made law, we don’t have same-sex marriages in this country at the moment so discrimination law and regulations in regards to it do not arise at the moment because we do not have same-sex marriage

“In the event of a Yes vote I do believe same-sex marriage will be legislated but it does raise very important issues about how we protect individuals’ freedoms of religion and belief, these are rights that are enshrined in international human rights law.”

Yesterday, the Prime Minister said he would not support changing laws to increase discrimination, as some fear would happen if parliament passed the Paterson bill.

“I don’t believe Australians would welcome, and certainly the government would not countenance the making legal discrimination that is unlawful today,” Mr Turnbull said yesterday.

Senator Paterson’s bill would extend religious protections to allow businesses that provide services to weddings the right to refuse service to gay couples.

7am: Turnbull jets in

Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull has arrived back in Australia in time for the release of the final same-sex marriage postal survey results, AAP reports. Nearly 80 per cent of eligible Australians took part in the voluntary poll.

Mr Turnbull, who touched down in Canberra after five days in southeast Asia, has slapped down a late push by conservative colleagues to water down anti- discrimination laws if the “yes” vote prevails.

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• Malcolm Turnbull has set up a showdown with conservative MPs over same-sex marriage.

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• Greg Sheridan writes that identifying China’s military expansion and rapid territorial conquests in the South China Sea as a potential threat is brave, tricky, delicate and complex.

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