The third reading of the new amendment finalised the process of allowing same sex marriage anywhere in the nation. It took about seven seconds from start to finish. This was followed by decidedly unparliamentary behaviour. Not in any negative way, mind, unless you regard a four minute long standing ovation, a lot of hugging and embracing, some tears of joy being shed and finishing with all but six individuals breaking out in song as something bad.
The reversal is uncompromising and complete. All amendments by conservatives trying to water the chief amendment down had already been rejected by convincing majorities in both houses. In the end only four members of the House of Representatives voted against the change during that final step. Ten outspoken opponents of SSM abstained by absenting themselves from proceedings and another four were absent for other reasons.
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Liberal MP Warren Entsch lifts Labor MP Linda Burney into the air after the same-sex marriage vote. Photo: AAP
Naturally, the US already did this awhile ago when it was still a fairly sane, somewhat tolerant country. Anyway, Congrats to all the gay Aussies who benefit from this change. 
