Australian PM Malcolm Turnbull says government aims to legalise same-sex marriage by year-end

Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull said on Wednesday his government will seek to pass legislation to legalise same-sex marriage by the end of the year after a majority of voters supported the move in a non-compulsory survey.

The Australian Bureau of Statistics said on Tuesday 61.6 percent of voters cast their ballots in support of same-sex marriage. A total of 38.4 percent were opposed.

"The Australian people have tasked us to get this done. This year, before Christmas - that must be our commitment," Turnbull told reporters in Canberra.