Australian PM still ruling out same-sex marriages

Australian Prime Minister John Howard says he will examine a new report on homosexual rights but has ruled out legalising same-sex marriage.

A report by the Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission (HREOC) on entitlements for same sex couples is expected to be tabled in parliament.

It comes as a survey conducted for political group Get Up! found 71 per cent of Australians support full spousal entitlements for same-sex couples and 57 per cent support same-sex marriage.

Mr Howard said he had not yet seen a copy of the HREOC report but would consider its recommendations.

He said the government would not (not) reverse its opposition to gay marriage.

"Let's have a look at the report before we start making any commitments," he told Sky News.
"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.

"There's no possibility of our attitude in relation to gay marriage changing.
"In relation to other issues we certainly aren't a government that supports discrimination."