After a marathon parliament debate, Australia will join 24 other countries in which same-sex marriage is legal.

The lower house passed marriage equality with less than five MPs voting ‘no’.

The parliament floor erupted with applause when the result was announced.

“What a day for love ,for equality, for respect, Australia has done it!” prime minister Malcom Turnbull said. 

The legalisation of same-sex marriage follows the recent national survey results where 61.6 per cent of Australian voters said ‘yes’ to marriage equality.