Australia reacts to same-sex marriage decision

AUSTRALIA has spoken.

After a nervous wait the results of the same-sex marriage postal survey have finally been revealed in an extraordinary turnout for the Yes campaign.

The moment was encapsulated perfectly by Labor senator for South Australia and same-sex marriage campaigner Penny Wong, who was seen breaking down as the vote was announced.

Penny Wong breaks down after she hears the #SSM result in P/H @GuardianAus @knausc #politicslive pic.twitter.com/28oHhROfIH

— Mikearoo (@mpbowers) November 14, 2017

Australian statistician David Kalisch announced the results of the ABS postal survey from Canberra, confirming the survey had delivered a Yes result.

The final participation rate accounted for 79.5 per cent of eligible voters.

In a rare moment when the nation had its say on who and what we are, the survey returned a 61.6 per cent vote in favour of same-sex marriage.

According to Marriage Equality Australia, a greater percentage of people participated in the postal survey than in Brexit, the UK general election, Irish Marriage Equality referendum and the US Presidential election.

All states and territories returned a majority Yes result. In NSW, 58 per cent voted Yes. In Queensland, 61 per cent voted Yes. In South Australia it was 62 per cent, Victoria returned a 65 per cent Yes vote, Western Australia returned a 64 per cent Yes vote and Tasmania returned a 64 per cent Yes vote. In the ACT, 74 per cent voted Yes, and in the Northern Territory 61 per cent voted Yes.

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