By Julia Taliesin

Staff Writer

In the last week, Australians voted in a non-binding poll on the question, “should the law be changed to allow same-sex couples to marry?”

The resounding answer to that question was “yes.” According to the New York Times, participation was high: 79.5 percent of registered voters cast their ballot. A solid majority of Australians, 61.6 percent, voted in favor of legalizing same-sex marriage, with 38.4 percent voting against it.

Prime Minister (PM) Malcolm Turnbull promised that a ‘yes’ vote would mean there would be a private members bill to legalize same-sex marriage. He also alluded that the matter would be seen to before Parliament takes a recess in December.

“Now it is up to us, here in the Parliament of Australia, to get on with it – to get on with the job the Australian people have tasked us to do, and get this done, before Christmas,” Turnbull said.PM Turnbull is a member of the Liberal Party of Australia, a party that, despite its name, is made up of a variety of liberal and conservative members. He voted to legalize same-sex marriage, and urged other Australians to do the same.

Millions of Australians celebrated the results in cities all over the country. PM Turnbull celebrated with them, saying, “The Australian people have spoken, and they have voted overwhelmingly ‘yes’ for marriage equality. They voted ‘yes’ for fairness, they voted ‘yes’ for commitment, they voted ‘yes’ for love.”