Howard rules out gay marriages

The Australian prime minister, John Howard, says he has no plans to allow gay marriages, because he regards them as incompatible with an institution designed to ensure the survival of the species.

He said the reason for not allowing gay marriages in Australia was not based on discrimination, but added that gay unions could weaken what he called the bedrock institution of marriage.

Mr Howard made his comments in interviews with a Brisbane newspaper and a radio station.

Australia has a large and vocal homosexual community which wants same-sex unions to be given the same legal recognition as heterosexual marriages.

From the newsroom of the BBC World Service