Australians back same-sex marriage

Australians have voted in favour of same-sex marriage.

Results of the non-binding postal vote were revealed on Wednesday, with 61.6 per cent of Australians wanting homosexual couples to have the same marital rights as heterosexual pairings.

A bill to change the law was submitted to the Senate, but will have to be debated for amendments in the hope it will be passed by Christmas.

Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull said: "Australians have spoken in their millions and they have voted overwhelmingly yes for marriage equality.

"They voted yes for fairness, yes for commitment, yes for love."

Over 12.7 million people took part in the vote over an eight-week period, with an estimated 7.8 million voting in favour of equal marriage.