Gay Marriage Ban Passes Australian Lower House
by Peter Hacker
365Gay.com Newscenter
Sydney, Australia Bureau


(Canberra) Government legislation to prevent same-sex couples from marrying or from adopting overseas children passed the lower house of parliament on Thursday.

The Liberal government wants the bill proclaimed into law before the country heads into an election. It was announced last month by Australian Prime Minister John Howard.

The opposition Labor party, which also opposes gay marriage, disagrees with the government on the issue of adoption.

"This is not a question of suitability of people to adopt," Attorney-General Philip Ruddock told parliament.