Australia's Prime Minister, Tony Abbott.
Barely a month after indicating he would allow a free vote by Coalition MPs, paving the way for the probable legalisation of same-sex marriage, Tony Abbott appears to be on the retreat, under pressure from arch-conservatives in his own party.
After news leaked out that two Liberal MPs, Warren Entsch
and Teresa Gambaro, have agreed to co-sponsor a cross-party bill, Abbott - who signalled last month that he favoured that approach - poured cold water on its prospects.
The Prime Minister said yesterday that the private member's bill - expected to be introduced to Parliament on August 11 - would be subjected to the "normal processes", meaning it was highly unlikely to be debated and voted on.
He also made it clear that same-sex marriage was not a priority, saying: "This Government was elected to grow jobs, to promote the stronger economy, to secure our nation against the various challenges that we face at home and abroad."
His comments, which follow a concerted push by right-wing Liberals to halt the momentum towards same-sex marriage, dismayed advocates of gay unions, who include growing numbers on both sides of politics.
