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Perth politicians of both sides to support marriage equality legislation

Kristie LimEastern Reporter

THREE Federal Parliament members have welcomed the “overwhelming” yes vote to marriage equality.

Perth MHR Tim Hammond, Stirling MHR Michael Keenan and Cowan MHR Anne Aly will be supporting WA Liberal senator Dean Smith’s same-sex marriage bill when they return to Parliament on November 26.

Nearly 80 per cent of Australians eligible to vote took part in the survey, with 61.6 per cent of Australian’s voting yes and 63.7 per cent of people in WA voting in favour of changing the marriage law.

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The federal Perth electorate recorded 71.5 per cent in yes votes – the second highest in WA – while Stirling and Cowan returned 61.1 per cent and 58.8 per cent yes votes.

Dr Aly said she was happy and proud with the “overwhelming yes” result and would vote for the legislation.

“Today is the day of celebration that Australians overwhelmingly support love and that is really heartening,” she said.

“I bawled my eyes out.

“So, when you see something like this, something as beautiful as knowing that Australians voted for love just seeing the relief, watching people break down, it does give you an overwhelming sense of the fact that the human spirit does prevail.”

Dr Aly said the LGBTQI community in Cowan breathed a big sigh of relief after the result.

Mr Hammond said Mr Smith’s bill had been though a “rigorous” committee process and it was time for Parliament to get it done and make marriage equality a reality as soon as possible.

“Today was an historic day for Australia and marks a new era of equality and fairness in our society,” he said.

“I am over the moon that the results were so resoundingly in favour of marriage equality.

“With the survey results settled our thinking must shift immediately to passing the required legislation.”

Mr Keenan said he would be voting yes in line with his electorate and the majority of Australians, while ensuring religious freedoms were respected.