Same-sex marriage vote blocked by opposition

Australian opposition MPs have said they will block the prime minister’s plan to hold a national vote on legalising same-sex marriage. Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull has promised to put the issue to a non-binding ballot, or plebiscite, next year. But critics, including many supporters of same-sex marriage, say parliament should make the decision itself. They […]

Australian opposition MPs have said they will block the prime minister’s plan to hold a national vote on legalising same-sex marriage.
Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull has promised to put the issue to a non-binding ballot, or plebiscite, next year.
But critics, including many supporters of same-sex marriage, say parliament should make the decision itself.
They say the plebiscite will be expensive and runs the risk of unleashing homophobic rhetoric.
Parliament will still vote on whether to hold the plebiscite, but without opposition and crossbench support it is unlikely to pass the senate.