A bill introduced in the wake of Ireland's historic same-sex marriage vote that would extend marriage equality to Australia is facing an uncertain future after members of the country's ruling coalition party criticized the Labor proposal and pushed for it to be withdrawn.
Australian Associated Press reports:
Veteran Liberal MP Phillip Ruddock criticised the opposition for introducing, without proper consultation, a private bill which aims to remove legal restrictions to marriage between a man and a woman.
Mr Ruddock, who supports marriage equality, was the only government MP to speak on the Labor bill when debate resumed on Monday.
“It's extremely disappointing to me and my colleagues that Labor took the approach it did,” he told parliament.
“They should withdraw and allow some form of discussion to see if there's a meaningful way forward.”
Australia's prime minister Tony Abbott remains opposed to same-sex marriage.
