Australia legalises same-sex marriage

The Australian parliament has approved same-sex marriage following a recent poll.

An overwhelming majority of politicians voted to pass the bill in the House of Representatives on Thursday, following its successful result in the Senate a week earlier.

Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull said: "What a day for love, for equality, for respect. Australia has done it."

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AUSTRALIA-GAY-POLITICS-MARRIAGE

After the Governor-General passes the bill in the coming days, it is expected same-sex marriage ceremonies will be able to go ahead in January at the earliest.

The country's government moved to amend the Marriage Act following a two-month national postal survey of 12 millions Australians.

Results last month showed over 61 per cent of Australians were in favour of equal marriage.

Australia is now the 24th country in the world to allow same-sex marriage.

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