This article is from the source 'guardian' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/live/2017/nov/15/australias-same-sex-marriage-postal-survey-results-live

The article has changed 14 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 6 Version 7
Australia's same-sex marriage postal survey: 61.6% yes, 38.4% no – live Australia's same-sex marriage postal survey: 61.6% yes, 38.4% no – live
(35 minutes later)
Ian Thorpe was at the party in Sydney, he described the moment he realised the yes vote had won. Penny before, during & after the #ssm survey results were announced.@knausc @murpharoo @GuardianAus #politicslive pic.twitter.com/XrD6Q4gMfv
“Firstly, talk about stalling,” he said. “We’ve waited long enough on this issue, but then to have to wait as the Australia Statistician was reading the results.” Resources and northern Australia minister, Matt Canavan, one of the most senior no campaigners in the government, has congratulated the yes side on its win.
On ABC News24 Canavan committed to respect the result - but it sounds like he will abstain rather than wave a bill through.
Canavan:
“I’ve always said that I will respect the wishes of the Queensland electorate that I represent, so I will be not opposing a same-sex marriage bill ...
I’ve also said always, too, that I won’t support a bill that diminishes fundamental human rights ...
I don’t think the protections in the Dean Smith bill are adequate, myself.
Canavan said the postal survey was not a vindication or rejection or any particular bill. So there’s room there to insist on the James Paterson bill and if it is not supported to take bat and ball and go home.
Queensland premier Annastacia Palaszczuk has said she’s pleased with the yes vote nationally and in Queensland.
“I am incredibly proud that we live in a progressive dynamic nation,” she said while campaigning in Proserpine for the state election.
“Today means so much for so many people. It is very hard to be able to express it into words, but honestly, this is a great day. This is where recognise that love is love. That we recognise that many families out there can now make that commitment in front of family and friends. I have friends who have had to fly to New Zealand to get married. That is not the kind of Australia that I want, that is not the kind of Australia that I want. I think today is a fantastic day.”
Palaszczuk said legislation should pass federal parliament as soon as possible, calling for the Malcolm Turnbull to introduce the Dean Smith bill and Bill Shorten to second it.
Australians would embrace the decision. “When it comes to issues such as catering and cakes and receptions and whatever – I think people are going to be lining up to make cakes and I’ll tell you what, I am not the best cook there is, but I am happy to bake a cake,” she said.
“There are anti-discrimination laws that should be abided by and it is absolutely imperative now that this decision has been made that everyone respects the decision, because we believe in equality.”The opposition leader, Tim Nicholls, focused on religious freedoms when asked about the result.
“I think all businesses will make their own decisions in relation to who they want to provide services for and it should be over to them to make those calls,” he said.
Ian Thorpe who was at a party in Sydney, described the moment he realised the yes vote had won.
“Firstly, talk about stalling,” he said. “We’ve waited long enough on this issue, but then to have to wait as the Australia statistician was reading the results.
“But, the odd thing was that they read out the number, not the percentage, so I was like working out in my head what percentage that was and then all of a sudden realising, no, hold on, that’s more than 60%, for me, it was just overwhelming. It’s an overwhelming victory for the yes campaign and it means there’s no excuses for the politicians.”“But, the odd thing was that they read out the number, not the percentage, so I was like working out in my head what percentage that was and then all of a sudden realising, no, hold on, that’s more than 60%, for me, it was just overwhelming. It’s an overwhelming victory for the yes campaign and it means there’s no excuses for the politicians.”
He said waking up on the day of the vote felt the same as the morning of a big swimming competition.He said waking up on the day of the vote felt the same as the morning of a big swimming competition.
“Thinking that everything was going to go well, but also having that unknown,” he said.“Thinking that everything was going to go well, but also having that unknown,” he said.
“Just the butterflies. When I went out this morning I couldn’t tell if Sydney looked beautiful or if it looked really ugly.”“Just the butterflies. When I went out this morning I couldn’t tell if Sydney looked beautiful or if it looked really ugly.”
Thopey said when he woke up this morning it felt like the day of a big swimming meet. Confident, but still the sense of the unknown. #Marriageequality pic.twitter.com/rvKB0T1yz8Thopey said when he woke up this morning it felt like the day of a big swimming meet. Confident, but still the sense of the unknown. #Marriageequality pic.twitter.com/rvKB0T1yz8
Crowds at the various capital city parties erupted when the result was read out - even in Perth where it was a very early 7am, and Adelaide where it was pouring with rain.Crowds at the various capital city parties erupted when the result was read out - even in Perth where it was a very early 7am, and Adelaide where it was pouring with rain.
Perth belting out an absolute banger after the 61% yes result. #ssm2017 #marriageequality pic.twitter.com/QiAYZ0834dPerth belting out an absolute banger after the 61% yes result. #ssm2017 #marriageequality pic.twitter.com/QiAYZ0834d
Sydney:Sydney:
Incredible #Yes #marriageequaility pic.twitter.com/otEGFsfGdeIncredible #Yes #marriageequaility pic.twitter.com/otEGFsfGde
Okay the scene in Sydney's Stonewall Hotel is pretty amazing. I will have ALL THE COLOURS. #MarriageEquality pic.twitter.com/NG4iPcWLNdOkay the scene in Sydney's Stonewall Hotel is pretty amazing. I will have ALL THE COLOURS. #MarriageEquality pic.twitter.com/NG4iPcWLNd
Brisbane:Brisbane:
Scenes of absolute elation in Brisbane. Crowds dancing, hugging, cheering and crying. #ssm #marriageequality @couriermail pic.twitter.com/310gP9d6p0Scenes of absolute elation in Brisbane. Crowds dancing, hugging, cheering and crying. #ssm #marriageequality @couriermail pic.twitter.com/310gP9d6p0
Adelaide:Adelaide:
Emotional scenes at Adelaide’s rainy #MarriageEquality  announcement - 61.6% of Australia’s voters said YES. It seems a rainbow has appeared on this dreary South Australian day. @7NewsAdelaide @AMEquality pic.twitter.com/LvzR5LFAxiEmotional scenes at Adelaide’s rainy #MarriageEquality  announcement - 61.6% of Australia’s voters said YES. It seems a rainbow has appeared on this dreary South Australian day. @7NewsAdelaide @AMEquality pic.twitter.com/LvzR5LFAxi
Tears of joy from Kaia, who travelled home from America for the vote and is now celebrating at Hindmarsh Sq in Adelaide. #marriageequality pic.twitter.com/ELlWe9kKbuTears of joy from Kaia, who travelled home from America for the vote and is now celebrating at Hindmarsh Sq in Adelaide. #marriageequality pic.twitter.com/ELlWe9kKbu
Melbourne:Melbourne:
This is the moment Australia found out 61.6% of participants voted YES in the same-sex marriage postal survey 🌈 #LoveIsLove #SSM2017 pic.twitter.com/8XbiRN1kBgThis is the moment Australia found out 61.6% of participants voted YES in the same-sex marriage postal survey 🌈 #LoveIsLove #SSM2017 pic.twitter.com/8XbiRN1kBg
So much emotion! #melbourne #SSM #yeswins #lovewins @abcnews pic.twitter.com/ArId1TwE3RSo much emotion! #melbourne #SSM #yeswins #lovewins @abcnews pic.twitter.com/ArId1TwE3R
Darwin:Darwin:
The moment mothers Lisa Menchetti and May Dunlop heard 7 million Australians voted 'Yes'. May says "it makes me incredibly happy because it means our kids can have a good safe, equal future". #SSM pic.twitter.com/JrM7dLrIqwThe moment mothers Lisa Menchetti and May Dunlop heard 7 million Australians voted 'Yes'. May says "it makes me incredibly happy because it means our kids can have a good safe, equal future". #SSM pic.twitter.com/JrM7dLrIqw
18- and 19-year-olds really came to the party, with 81.1% of women and 75.1% of men in that age group participating in the survey, doing far better than anyone else under 40.18- and 19-year-olds really came to the party, with 81.1% of women and 75.1% of men in that age group participating in the survey, doing far better than anyone else under 40.
The only age demographics where a higher proportion of men than women participated was in the over 70s. Those in the 70 to 74 age bracket were the most likely to participate, and 25 to 29 the least.The only age demographics where a higher proportion of men than women participated was in the over 70s. Those in the 70 to 74 age bracket were the most likely to participate, and 25 to 29 the least.
Note, these are participation stats only – we don’t have results by age or gender because of the anonymous nature of the survey.Note, these are participation stats only – we don’t have results by age or gender because of the anonymous nature of the survey.
I posted earlier that George Christensen said he will not vote for the Dean Smith bill, and instead would abstain.I posted earlier that George Christensen said he will not vote for the Dean Smith bill, and instead would abstain.
It looks like Andrew Hastie is taking the same route, according to Fairfax.It looks like Andrew Hastie is taking the same route, according to Fairfax.
Both Hastie and Christensen’s electorates voted yes, and while Hastie had indicated to the ABC that he would likely abstain, Christensen said he would follow his electorate’s result.Both Hastie and Christensen’s electorates voted yes, and while Hastie had indicated to the ABC that he would likely abstain, Christensen said he would follow his electorate’s result.
Liberal Andrew Hastie, a prominent advocate of a "no" vote, tells me he will be abstaining (his WA seat of Canning voted "yes")Liberal Andrew Hastie, a prominent advocate of a "no" vote, tells me he will be abstaining (his WA seat of Canning voted "yes")
Labor’s Tanya Plibersek has urged action on legislating for same sex marriage, saying Australian people will not tolerate people wasting time and money “delaying the inevitable”.Labor’s Tanya Plibersek has urged action on legislating for same sex marriage, saying Australian people will not tolerate people wasting time and money “delaying the inevitable”.
Andrew Leigh says the survey result confirmed what poll after poll had said.Andrew Leigh says the survey result confirmed what poll after poll had said.
“Australians want marriage equality. We didn’t need to spend millions of dollars to find out that 62% of Australians and 74% of Canberrans want same-sex couples to enjoy the same rights as other Australians,” he says.“Australians want marriage equality. We didn’t need to spend millions of dollars to find out that 62% of Australians and 74% of Canberrans want same-sex couples to enjoy the same rights as other Australians,” he says.
“The process of this survey has been damaging to the mental health of many gay and lesbian Australians. We’ve seen an increase in the number of calls for lines such as Reach Out and QLife. That didn’t need to happen.“The process of this survey has been damaging to the mental health of many gay and lesbian Australians. We’ve seen an increase in the number of calls for lines such as Reach Out and QLife. That didn’t need to happen.
“I know opponents of marriage equality are now looking for every possible blocking tactic. Having lost the survey, they now are wanting to write the law or to delay the process. We just can’t let that happen. Australians will take a very dim view of their parliament if we go to Christmas without same-sex marriage being the law of the land.”“I know opponents of marriage equality are now looking for every possible blocking tactic. Having lost the survey, they now are wanting to write the law or to delay the process. We just can’t let that happen. Australians will take a very dim view of their parliament if we go to Christmas without same-sex marriage being the law of the land.”
In a statement on Facebook Tony Abbott, whose seat of Warringah voted 75% for same-sex marriage, has said that “the people have spoken and the parliament should respect the result”.In a statement on Facebook Tony Abbott, whose seat of Warringah voted 75% for same-sex marriage, has said that “the people have spoken and the parliament should respect the result”.
Abbott then immediately starts piling the pressure on to modify the cross-party bill authored by Dean Smith noting that Malcolm Turnbull and Bill Shorten have “pledged their support for freedom of religion.Abbott:Abbott then immediately starts piling the pressure on to modify the cross-party bill authored by Dean Smith noting that Malcolm Turnbull and Bill Shorten have “pledged their support for freedom of religion.Abbott:
“I also thank 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.“I also thank 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.
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.”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.”
Two dispatches from the UK:Two dispatches from the UK:
I’m incredibly proud of legalising Same Sex Marriage in the UK & delighted that other countries are looking to do the same. G’day Australia! https://t.co/Beg9poCc1TI’m incredibly proud of legalising Same Sex Marriage in the UK & delighted that other countries are looking to do the same. G’day Australia! https://t.co/Beg9poCc1T
Someone on my tube yells: “AUSTRALIA JUST LEGALISED GAY MARRIAGE!” The carriage cheers and claps.Someone on my tube yells: “AUSTRALIA JUST LEGALISED GAY MARRIAGE!” The carriage cheers and claps.
The yes vote has presented the Coalition with a potentially damaging choice between two bills to make same-sex marriage lawful. One is proposed by moderate Liberal, Dean Smith, and another from James Paterson, which has the backing of conservatives. We think the debate will take place in the week of 27 November.
Conservative senators Eric Abetz and Matt Canavan have expressed support for Paterson’s bill. Paterson’s bill is designed to give greater religious protections for those who don’t want to provide goods or services to same-sex weddings. Bakers or florists, for example, could refuse to do work for same-sex weddings. Lyle Shelton, speaking at the no campaign event, has just described Paterson’s bill as a “very good bill”. He said it gives protections from threats to freedom of speech and religion.
Conservative Mathias Cormann spoke earlier. He said the Smith bill is a good place to start, but he wants amendments to improve religious protections.
“I believe the Smith bill is a good starting point and indeed a number of senators have given notices that they will seek to introduce the Smith bill into the Senate this afternoon,” he said. “I do believe that there is a need for some additional religious protections. I am not going to go into the specifics today.”
Malcolm Turnbull has promised to get the bill through by Christmas. But he now faces a tough task in attempting to broker a compromise between factions inside the Coalition.
I found Yvonne Gardner, 75, an lgbti campaigner, almost in tears. She clings my arm, and whispers in my ear; "I've been fighting for this for 50 years". #LoveWins @heldavidson pic.twitter.com/gp3sXRFS1v
How did your electorate turn out? Courtesy of Nick Evershed, below is the breakdown of participation rates for the survey.
Head of the conservative Australian Christian Lobby and leading No campaigner, Lyle Shelton says despite their “valiant effort”, “we haven’t quite got to where we wanted to go.
He says the volunteers have shown “great commitment in the campaign” and it’s been an “incredible journey”.
Shelton says he’s enjoyed the campaign and the process.
He says he’s spoken to people across the country who are now energised to participate in the democratic process, which in this case didn’t go their way.
“People wer persuaded by the yes campaign. They have been campaigning for at least a decade,” he says, describing them as “relentless”.
“They have seen the fruit of their relentlessness.”
Shelton says they will now focus on the parliamentary process.
He again calls for protections of freedom of speech, religion and conscience, again only vaguely saying how they would actually be affected by same sex marriage legislation.
Is a marriage equality data visualisation without animated rainbow confetti really a proper marriage equality data visualisation?
important datavisualisation https://t.co/6wkQpEWgGg pic.twitter.com/vanBp1kwka
More from a disappointed Lyle Shelton, who would have struggled to be in the media more during this campaign, really. Over two weeks of the campaign, Shelton got more media attention than all three leading yes campaigners combined.
Marriage Alliance blames the media for losing. pic.twitter.com/UhKddpjkeN
Michael McGowan has been at the Sydney event.
Yep! #marriageequality pic.twitter.com/radSAmZtcB
Christine Forster gets huge applause from the crowd in Sydney announcing a 75% yes vote in ... Warringah! #marriageequality
Australian Christian Lobby’s Lyle Shelton, seeking to interpret the result, has said the yes side has “been campaigning for many, many years”, as opposed to the no side, which has only had three months.
Shelton said he respects the results, but: “Three months wasn’t long enough to overturn 10 years or more [of yes campaigning].”
He said the no side had been highly successful in the short time it had.
“We know that we’ve shifted at least 1m votes, it wasn’t enough to get over the line at the end of the day,” he said.
My colleague, Amy Remeikis, who is reporting on the Queensland election campaign, reports there were cheers from the Labor campaign plane as the result rolled in.