Gay marriage bill introduced to Australian parliament

A controversial bill to legalise same-sex marriage has been laid in 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 for same sex marriage was introduced by government backbencher Warren Entsch, who plans 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.

BBC