Same-sex marriage bill passes Senate

Same-sex marriage is a step closer to being legal after the Senate passed a bill without amendments.

This afternoon, there were cheers and hugs in the chamber after the upper house voted 43 to 12 in favour of the bill originally proposed by Liberal Senator Dean Smith.

"In a world where there are more tensions between people, our country has offered a loving embrace to its own," an emotional Senator Smith said ahead of the vote.

"A few brief moments of joy is what our country has ached for because we know it will result in a lifetime of joy for so many others."

Labor's leader in the Senate Penny Wong said the bill's passage was an historic moment.

"It says to so many Australians, this parliament, this country, accepts you for who you are," she said.

"Your love is not lesser, and nor are you. It says you're one of us."

Last night, six Coalition senators joined Labor and the Greens to scuttle changes to the bill - despite the majority of Coalition senators supporting the amendments to broaden religious protections.

Cabinet ministers Simon Birmingham, Marise Payne and Nigel Scullion joined Senator Smith, Jane Hume and Linda Reynolds in voting against changes.

The bill must now go to the lower house for approval.

Parliament will extend sittings for the year until it has passed.

Attorney-General George Brandis said the issue of religious protections would be reviewed after the bill has passed – by a panel, chaired by former Liberal frontbencher Philip Ruddock.

"Mr Ruddock is going to report back in March," he said.

"(The bill) will go to the House of Representatives next week. As the prime minister and I have promised, there will be marriage equality before Christmas."

HOW THE SENATE VOTED

'YES' VOTERS (43)

Liberal

Simon Birmingham

George Brandis

David Bushby

Mathias Cormann

Jonathon Duniam

Mitch Fifield

Ian McDonald

Nigel Scullion

Anne Ruston

James Paterson

Jane Hume

Marise Payne

Linda Reynolds

Scott Ryan

Dean Smith

Labor

Carol Brown

Catryna Bilyk

Doug Cameron

Kim Carr

Anthony Chisholm

Kimberley Kitching

Sue Lines

Jenny McAllister

Malarndirri McCarthy

Claire Moore

Louise Pratt

Lisa Singh

Anne Urquhart

Murray Watt

Penny Wong

Greens

Andrew Bartlett

Richard Di Natale

Sarah Hanson-Young

Nick McKim

Lee Rhiannon

Janet Rice

Jordon Steele-John

Rachel Siewert

Peter Whish-Wilson

Crossbench

Stirling Griff

Rex Patrick

David Leyonhjelm

Derryn Hinch

'NO' VOTERS (12)

Labor

Chris Ketter

Helen Polley

Liberals

Concetta Fierravanti-Wells

Eric Abetz

Slade Brockman

Nationals

John Williams

Matt Canavan

Barry O'Sullivan

Crossbench

Lucy Gichuhi

Fraser Anning

Cory Bernardi

Brian Burston

DID NOT VOTE (17)

Liberals

Michaelia Cash

David Fawcett

James McGrath

Zed Seselja

Arthur Sinodinos

Nationals

Bridget McKenzie

Labor

Jacinta Collins

Sam Dastyari

Pat Dodson

Don Farrell

Alex Gallacher

Katy Gallagher

Gavin Marshall

Deb O'Neill

Glenn Sterle

One Nation

Pauline Hanson

Peter Georgiou