Gay couple get engaged live on TV just moments after Australia says 'yes' to same-sex marriage

Fiona Simpson15 November 2017

A gay couple got engaged live on TV just moments after Australia voted in favour of legalising same-sex marriage.

A man, named only as Stuart, popped the question to his partner of two-and-a-half years on ABC news as the ‘yes’ vote was announced.

Another couple, who had been together for 44 years, broke down in tears as they told presenters of their plans to marry and thanked Australians for their support.

Australia voted in favour of legalising same-sex marriage by 61.6 per cent to 38.4 per cent.

The poll saw a higher voter turn-out than the UK's Brexit referendum
Getty Images

With a turnout of 79.5 per cent, the vote had a bigger turnout than the Brexit referendum and US presidential election.

The non-binding postal survey saw 16 million people registered to vote among Australia's population of 24 million.

As the majority voted in favour, the parliament will vote by December on legislation to lift the ban on same-sex marriages.

Tiernan Brady, director of Australians for Equality, said: “If this were a general election it, would be the biggest landslide in Australian history."

Supporters were pictured celebrating, adorned in rainbow striped flags, as the result was announced.

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