Australia

Australia became the 25th freedom to marry country on December 9, 2017 when center-right Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull allowed a free vote in Parliament. Marriage legislation passed with a nearly unanimous vote in the House of Representatives on December 7, 2017 and received royal assent from Governor-General Sir Peter Cosgrove on December 8, 2017. Same-sex couples may marry in Australia as of January 9, 2018. The marriage vote in parliament followed a voluntary postal survey in which 80% of all registered Australian voters responded, and 62% voting in favor of the freedom to marry.