Australia rejects gay marriage bill

Australian politicians have overwhelmingly rejected a bill that would have legalised gay marriage.

The House of Representatives voted 98-42 against the legislation today.

It was the first of four bills introduced to Parliament that aim to lift the country’s ban on same-sex marriages.

A separate bill was also being debated in the Senate today.

Polls show that most Australians support gay marriage. But the Liberal Party-led conservative opposition coalition and many in the ruling centre-left Labour Party are against it.

Australian law defines marriage as a union between a man and a woman. Labour lifted its long-standing opposition to gay marriage last year, but prime minister Julia Gillard remains opposed to it.