DPA/Sydney
Australia’s conservative Prime Minister Tony Abbott has said the decision by the US Supreme Court to legalise same-sex marriage would not change his mind against the practice.
“What happens in the US is obviously a matter for the US, just as what happened in Ireland a few weeks ago is a matter for the Irish,” Abbott said in Melbourne yesterday.
The US court ruling leaves Australia as one of the few countries in the Western world that still bans same-sex marriage.
Gay couples in Australia can have a civil-union ceremony, and gays and lesbians in de facto relationships have equal rights under the law with heterosexual couples, but not marriage.
But even though Abbott’s sister Christine Forster is a lesbian and strong advocate of equal rights in marriage, the staunchly Catholic prime minister is unmoving.
“Obviously there is a community debate going on, I have views on this subject which are pretty well known and they haven’t changed,” he said.
Abbott has come under increasing pressure to allow his party members to be able to vote according to their conscience when a bill legalising same-sex marriage comes before parliament later this year.
Opinion polls show two-thirds of Australians are in favour of legalising same-sex marriage.
Support is 81% among young people, and 76% of Abbott’s party supporters want a conscience vote in parliament on the issue.
However, many members of parliament fear a backlash from voters, particularly among ethnic groups, and a vote on the bill in parliament would be very close.
The opposition Labor Party is in favour of same-sex marriage, but will allow its members a conscience vote and some have declared they would not support it.
Labor leader Bill Shorten hailed the US court decision.
“This is a joyous day in America. In Australia, let us make it a call to action,” Shorten said. “It’s time to make marriage equality a reality.”
Government MPs are divided on the issue.
Education Minister Christopher Pyne described the US decision as “fascinating” and said the issue could be back on the agenda when Australia’s parliament reconvenes in August.
Abbott: I have views on this subject (of gay marriage) which are pretty well known and they haven’t changed.
