SYDNEY - Australia plans to hold a national vote on February 11 on whether to allow same-sex marriage, Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull said Tuesday, despite critics warning it could unleash homophobia. "There will be a plebiscite on the 11th of February unless (opposition Labor leader) Bill Shorten decides to block it (in the Senate)," he said. 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 Aus$170 million (US$128.2 million). The vote is non-binding, meaning that even if the plebiscite is passed by a majority of Australians, parliamentarians do not have to pass legislation in support of same-sex marriage.

Source: Bangkok Post September 13, 2016 06:33 UTC