Church backs gay marriage ban


CHURCH and family groups have backed Federal Government plans to ban gay marriages.
The Australian Families Association and the Catholic church both support the move, which Labor has also said it would back.

The Government has rushed legislation into parliament to ban gay marriages amid concerns gay couples could marry overseas and then seek court rulings in Australia on the status of the union.

Prime Minister John Howard has denied the changes discriminate against gay people.

"It does not discriminate against gay people," he told the Nine Network's A Current Affair program.

"It is discriminating in favour of an institution which is basic to the cohesion of our society."