by Rex Wockner
International News Briefs
Sixty percent of Australians say gay couples should be able to get married, a Galaxy poll has found.
Thirty-six percent of those questioned oppose same-sex marriage and 4 percent lack an opinion on the issue.
The poll also found that 58 percent of respondents think foreign same-sex marriages should be recognized in Australia.
"Clearly, Australians believe marriage is first and foremost about love and commitment, not your partner's gender," said Peter Furness, national convener of the group Australian Marriage Equality.
"This poll scuttles the only rationale put forward by the (Prime Minister Kevin) Rudd government for opposing equality, namely that a majority of Australians believe marriage should only be between a man and a woman. It surely increases the pressure on the Labor Party to endorse same-sex marriage at its upcoming national conference."
A 2004 amendment to Australia's Marriage Act bans marriage between same-sex couples as well as recognition of overseas same-sex marriages.
On Aug. 1, marriage equality activists will stage a National Day of Action in several Australian cities.
