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THE Mallee and Wannon electorates have voted in favour of legalising same-sex marriage.
Nationally, the yes vote stemming from the Australian marriage law survey represented 61.6 per cent of respondents’ votes.
More than 78,000 people voted in Mallee, with 54.3 per cent of those voting yes. Of the 81,000 people who voted from the Wannon electorate, 61 per cent voted to support same-sex marriage.
The voluntary postal survey was not a binding mechanism and politicians will now act on the verdict.
The region’s two federal members of parliament, Mallee’s Andrew Broad and Wannon’s Dan Tehan, have pledged they will vote to support same-sex marriage when legislation is presented to parliament.
Both had previously stated they would vote in accordance with the decision of their electorates.
Mr Broad said he was impressed by the decent manner in which the people of his electorate conducted themselves throughout the survey. He said the result required the wisdom of members of parliament to work through the legislation to ensure there was balance between honouring the result and ensuring freedoms were maintained.
Wimmera Pride Project co-founder Maddi Ostapiw said she was elated to hear the outcome.
Ms Ostapiw said the advocates for the LGBTQI community in parliament needed to be conscious about which legislation was passed.
She said it was honourable for Mr Broad to vote on behalf of the majority that elected him into power, given a majority of Mallee voters supported marriage equality,
Horsham headspace applauded the majority ‘yes’ vote and said it was time to unite and end the negativity.