Australian PM against gay marriage

John Howard, the prime minister of Australia, has confirmed that same-sex marriage will not be legalised in the country.

Speaking in response to a recent survey which found that almost three-quarters of Australian citizens would be in favour of gay and lesbian couples being able to wed, Mr Howard stated that he and his government are standing firm on the matter.

"We are not in favour of discrimination, but of course our views on the nature of marriage in our community are very well known and they won't be changing," he said.

The poll, conducted by independent human rights group GetUp!, revealed that 71 per cent of Australians believes that same-sex marriage should be made legal, and that gay and lesbian couples should have the same rights as married heterosexual couples, the Associated Press reports.

Commenting on the findings, GetUp! executive director Brett Solomon said: "Australians don't want their gay friends and family to feel like second-class citizens."

A further report from the Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission, due to be published today (Thursday), examines the discrimination of same-sex couples and looks into the federal laws which prevent them and their children from enjoying the same employment and financial benefits as heterosexual couples.

Australian federal law was changed in 2004, making it impossible for gay and lesbian couples to marry legally.