Rainbow celebrations as Australians vote for same
Malcolm Turnbull
The voluntary poll is non-binding but  Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull  immediately said  he  would fulfill a pledge to raise a bill in parliament with the aim of passing laws by Christmas.
 Turnbull  played down concerns of a split in  his  coalition government over the policy as the conservative faction presses for amendments to protect religious freedoms that discriminate against same-sex couples.
âIt is unequivocal  it is overwhelming. They have spoken in their millions and they have voted overwhelmingly yes for marriage equality â  Turnbull  told reporters in Canberra after the survey results were announced. âThey voted yes for fairness  yes for commitment  yes for love.â
Irish-born Qantas Airways Chief Executive Alan Joyce  one of the few openly gay business leaders in Australia  told the Sydney crowd  many of whom sheltered from the hot sun under rainbow umbrellas  that the result was âan amazing outcomeâ and urged  Turnbull  to move quickly on legislation.
 Turnbull   under pressure amid a citizenship crisis that has cost him his deputy and the governmentâs majority in parliament  finds his leadership tested again as the marriage equality bill enters parliament  possibly as early as later on Wednesday.
But political analysts said the resounding âyesâ vote presented  Turnbull  with  his  first opportunity in months to exert decisive control. At least one of the conservative lawmakers has announced plans to switch to supporting the legislation  given the strength of the public vote.
The voluntary poll is non-binding but   [TGT] immediately said   [TGT]   would fulfill a pledge to raise a bill in parliament with the aim of passing laws by Christmas.
  [TGT] played down concerns of a split in   [TGT]   coalition government over the policy as the conservative faction presses for amendments to protect religious freedoms that discriminate against same-sex couples.
âIt is unequivocal  it is overwhelming. They have spoken in their millions and they have voted overwhelmingly yes for marriage equality â   [TGT] told reporters in Canberra after the survey results were announced.  [TGT]  voted yes for fairness  yes for commitment  yes for love.â
Irish-born Qantas Airways Chief Executive Alan Joyce  one of the few openly gay business leaders in Australia  told the Sydney crowd  many of whom sheltered from the hot sun under rainbow umbrellas  that the result was âan amazing outcomeâ and urged  Turnbull  to move quickly on legislation.
 Turnbull   under pressure amid a citizenship crisis that has cost him his deputy and the governmentâs majority in parliament  finds his leadership tested again as the marriage equality bill enters parliament  possibly as early as later on Wednesday.
But political analysts said the resounding âyesâ vote presented   [TGT] with   [TGT]   first opportunity in months to exert decisive control. At least one of the conservative lawmakers has announced plans to switch to supporting the legislation  given the strength of the public vote.