Tony Windsor says no to Australian gay marriage bill

FEDERAL Independent MP Tony Windsor says he won’t be supporting legislation to allow same-sex marriage when it comes before parliament this year.

Labor Left co-convenor Stephen Jones plans to introduce amendments to change the Marriage Act to allow same-sex marriage, following the ALP’s decision in November to change its platform on the issue.

Mr Windsor, whose seat of New England takes in a large part of conservative rural NSW, told AAP on Monday he had yet to see the detail of Mr Jones’ bill but did not think it would succeed.

“It’s got a very limited chance of getting through,” Mr Windsor said.

“If (the wording) is as simple as `Will I support gay marriage?’ I would say ‘no’.”

Labor MPs will be allowed a conscience vote on the issue but coalition MPs are expected to vote as a block.

Meanwhile, the Greens still plan to refer their own bill supporting same-sex marriage to a Senate inquiry. - AAP