Canberra: A controversial bill to legalize same-sex marriage has been introduced to the Australian parliament.
The bill brought by a private member was presented in the parliament amid heated debate. Among the members there were different opinions about whether to change the law or put the matter for voting.
The official position of the Government was that the marriage should only be between a man and a woman.
Prime Minister Tony Abbott had denied the demand of government MPs for a free vote on any bill regarding the legalization of same-sex marriage.
The bill is to allow couples marry, regardless of sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or inter-sex status.
The present marriage Act in Australia has limitation as it does not allow marriage to a union of a man and a woman.
The bill was introduced by Warren Entsch, one of several government backbenchers who plans to resist Mr Abbott by crossing the floor of the parliament to vote in favor of marriage equality.
The ban on a free vote for government MPs indicated that the presentation of the bill will not be succeeded.
According to Mr Abbott the matter should be presented to the people in a non-binding vote after the next general election, due in 2016.
Meanwhile, cross bench senators have backed an Australian Greens bill, demanding a gay marriage vote before the forthcoming election.
Video on the same sex marriage bill presentation in Australian Parliament
