It's a Resounding YES to Same Sex Marriage

BY JESSICA ROUSE AND SARAH JAMES

Across the country the result of the same sex marriage postal survey is a resounding Yes.

The Australian Bureau of Statistics announced the results this morning which saw 61 per cent of voters vote Yes and 38 per cent vote No.

The Australian Capital Territory returned the highest majority of Yes votes with 74 percent, and New South Wales returned the least with 57.8 per cent.

133 electorates voted yes, 95 of those electorates had a majority of 60 per cent; of the 17 electorates who voted No, 6 of those electorates had a 60 percent majority of No votes.

YES Campaigners with Tiernan Brady in Newcastle earlier this year.

The statistics become more interesting the more you break them down, females were more likely to respond to the survey and those voters aged between 25 - 29 years old had the lowest participation rate compared to the 70 - 74 age group being the most likely to respond to the survey.

Now it's expected two private member's bills will be put before parliament. Both are from Liberal members including one from West Australian senator Dean Smith.

Some Conservatives want strong religious protections, but other MPs say the bill can't threaten anti-discrimination laws. Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull has endorsed a bill co-signed by Labor and the Greens which will leave religious protections to the mercy of the Senate.

How did Novocastrians vote?

The Newcastle electorate responded overwhelmingly in favour of same-sex marriage, with 74.8% of people voting Yes.

This meant Newcastle had the fifth-largest majority of Yes voters in the country.

Paterson, Shortland and Hunter returned similar results, with 65.5%, 67.7% and 64.4% voting yes respectively.

"What an exceptional result. It certainly demonstrates just how strongly the public believes in equality for all, and particularly here in Newcastle, how supportive our community is of the diversity of our region," said Deputy Lord Mayor Declan Clausen.

Declan Clausen thanked the work of volunteers who campaigned for the Yes vote, ensuring people were enrolled and got their vote in.

"I was extremely pleased to see the huge number of volunteers that were out every day of the week and on weekends in the leadup to the closing of the survey, making sure people had the opportunity to return their vote and have a say," he said.

Retailers Experiencing a Downturn

BY TYLER FARDELL

It appears retailers across the country and the Hunter are feeling the pinch, with the Australian Bureau of Statistics today releasing figures which show an increasing downturn in retail turnover.

The ABS data shows a 0.6% percent fall in retail turnover for August this year compared to the same time last year.

Following this, the National Retail Association is hoping the decision by the Fair Work Commission to cut Sunday and Penalty rates won't be overturned, with fears many retailers would be unable to open on Sundays as they couldn't afford to pay their employee's.

NRA Chief Executive Dominique Lamb says overturning the decision would be a disadvantage for everyone.

"If retailers can't afford to open their doors on a Sunday, in an environment where consumers are more price-driven than ever before, are spoiled for choice by international competitors who are not subjected to the same cost imposts our retailers are, and expect to be able to shop seven days a week, then everyone loses out", she said.

The area's which received the biggest downturn are cafes, restaurants and takeaway food services (-1.3%) and household goods (-1%).

While there's not one key factor to blame for the low retail turnover, CEO of the Hunter Business Chamber Bob Hawes has an idea.

"Retailers and consumers are struggling with the rise in electricity prices and then the retailers try to make back the money by increasing prices of products", he said.

"Hopefully the retail industry can recover in time for christmas".