Australia eyes Feb. vote on gay marriageSYDNEY -- Australia plans to hold a national vote on Feb. 11 on whether to allow same-sex marriage, Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull said Tuesday, despite critics warning it could unleash homophobia. Turnbull went to July 2 elections promising every Australian could have their say on gay marriage via a plebiscite. Australian lawmakers rarely vote against party lines, and Smith is the first government lawmaker to publicly break ranks on gay marriage since July elections. Australia is seen as lagging behind a growing number of countries on marriage reform despite strong popular support for marriage equality. Turnbull is well-known for his support for gay marriage but committed to the plebiscite, costing some US$128.2 million.

Source: The China Post September 13, 2016 16:18 UTC