Gay marriage bill introduced to Australian parliament

A controversial bill to legalise same-sex marriage has been introduced to the Australian parliament.

The private member’s bill comes amid heated debate among government MPs about whether to change the law or put the matter to a plebiscite.

The government’s official position is that marriage should only be between a man and a woman.

Prime Minister Tony Abbott has denied government MPs a free vote on any bill legalising same-sex marriage.

The bill allows couples, regardless of “sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or intersex status” to marry.

Australia’s Marriage Act limits marriage to a union of a man and a woman.

The bill was introduced by government backbencher Warren Entsch, one of several government backbenchers who plan to defy Mr Abbott by crossing the floor of the parliament to vote in favour of marriage equality.

The ban on a free vote for government MPs means it is likely to fail.

Plebiscite

Mr Abbott has said the matter should be “put to the people” in a non-binding plebiscite after the next general election, due in 2016.

Meanwhile, cross bench senators have backed an Australian Greens bill calling for a gay marriage plebiscite before the election.