Australia lawmakers approve same-sex marriage

TIL Desk/World/Singapore/ Gay couples will be able to legally marry in Australia after a same-sex marriage bill sailed through parliament today, ending decades of political wrangling. There were loud cheers, hugs and sustained clapping in the 150-seat lower House of Representatives when all but four MPs voted in support of marriage equality, after the upper house Senate passed the bill 43-12 last week.

“What a day for love, for equality, for respect! Australia has done it,” Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull told the House.”Every Australian had their say and they said it is fair, get on with it!”

The historic reforms will commence on Saturday, when same-sex couples can a lodge a notice to marry. They will then have to wait a month before tying the knot. Labor opposition leader Bill Shorten hailed the passing of the bill as a uniting moment for Australia, adding: “Now is the time for healing”.

“A time to build, a time to love, and is now at last a time for marriage equality,” he said. Same-sex marriage campaigners converged outside parliament in the nation’s capital Canberra to celebrate the historic occasion, which sees Australia join more than 20 other countries in recognising such unions.