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Australian MPs Propose Gay Marriage Bills
Two bills calling for the legislation of gay marriage have been introduced to the Australian parliament today.
The bills, which are similar in nature but employ different wording, call for a lifting on the current ban on same-sex marriages, while allowing religious ministers the right to refuse to hold ceremonies which conflict with their beliefs.
Both bills - introduced by first by Australian Greens MP Adam Bandt, independent Andrew Wilkie, and Labour's Stephen Jones - were drafted just weeks after the ruling Labour Party lifted its opposition to same-sex unions.
However, the fact that there are two such similar bills being introduced highlights tensions between the minority government partners, and may ultimately undermine the chances of gay marriage ever being endorsed by Australian Parliament.