Rod Culleton alleges Mr Brandis misled the Senate over matters that led to his dismissal.

Leading conservative cabinet minister Peter Dutton has intervened in the debate about same-sex marriage laws, slapping down calls for sweeping changes to senator Dean Smith's proposed legislation but suggesting a new "religious protections" bill may be introduced in 2018.

Any deal would risk jeopardising relations with Australia, which remains resolutely against such an arrangement.

Overwhelming national support for same-sex marriage and in every state and territory shouldn't be seen as a "blank cheque" for legislation in Parliament, Senator Zed Seselja warned on Thursday.

Parliament today begins to debate legislation to make same-sex marriage legal.

It might be passed by early December, but the first same-sex weddings may not be thrown until at least January 2018.

The cyber-nod of approval for the raunchy video from account "XxxPornGay" came the same night people across the country were celebrating the result of the same-sex marriage postal survey.

Newly minted Greens senator Andrew Bartlett could be the next federal politician to fall foul of the constitution, with the party seeking fresh legal advice about his eligibility just four days after he was sworn in.

Former Labor leader claimed a defamation lawsuit brought against him is an attempt to "break" him financially.

More than any other area in Australia, the people of western Sydney voted no.

More than any other area in Australia, the people of western Sydney voted no.

Florists, photographers and wedding celebrants are among the army of small businesses set to enjoy a billion-dollar plus boost when tens of thousands of same sex couples are finally allowed to walk down the aisle.

Of the top 10 Queensland electorate seats most in favour of same-sex marriage, half were located outside the Brisbane urban area.

When the man from the ABS said the words the crowd was longing to hear he kicked off a joyous, city-wide celebration.

Gary Hayward, proprietor of the Buddha Shop, was over the moon. He'll be marrying his partner of 16 years - and friend for 14 years before that.

Australia will join the rest of the English-speaking world and legalise same-sex marriage - but a fierce political stoush looms first.

Faith played a heavy role in determining voting patterns, underscoring the role that religious leaders could play during parliamentary debate.

The diversity of Australia's biggest city has been underscored by voting patterns in the same sex marriage survey.

Voters in electorates held by Liberal members of parliament were more likely to support same sex marriage than voters in Labor electorates.

The contentious Northern Australia Infrastructure Facility, derided by Labor as a $5 billion National Party slush fund, will survive, finance spokesman Jim Chalmers has confirmed.

Jubilant Melburnians gathered at Trades Hall on Wednesday night to celebrate the same-sex marriage postal survey result.

Reserve Bank board member Lucy Ellis has said Australia should stop searching for the next mining boom or "an identifiable engine of growth," and accept that future economic prosperity will come from several directions.

Australia will join the rest of the English-speaking world and legalise same-sex marriage - but a fierce political stoush looms first.

Join us for our live coverage of the same-sex marriage postal survey verdict.

A close ally of Tony Abbott is poised to take up a Senate seat after the High Court ruled disability advocate Hollie Hughes ineligible to replace former cabinet minister Fiona Nash.

Victorians resoundingly voted "yes" in the same-sex marriage postal survey, with only two of the state's 37 electorates bucking the trend and voting "no".

It was a resounding affirmation of a simple proposition. Yes, the love between two same-sex people should be equal in the eyes of the law.

Here's a breakdown of same-sex marriage results by state.

Lyle Shelton – the Christian lobbyist who spearheaded the crusade against same-sex marriage – says he didn't have enough time to counter the "relentless" campaigners on the "yes" side. So now he's gearing up for a fight that could take "years or decades" to persuade Australians to change their minds.