IN an extraordinary moment on TV, Kevin Rudd gave a staunch defence of same-sex marriage when challenged by a Pastor on Q & A.
When confronted by a question from New Hope Church pastor Matt Prater, who quoted the Bible as stating it was clearly wrong in the eyes of God, he said: "People don't choose their sexuality, they are born that way. LIVE ELECTION COVERAGE: FOLLOW OUR CAMPAIGN BLOG HERE "The idea this is somehow an abnormal condition is wrong." Mr Rudd said homosexuality was not an abnormal condition and the Bible also said "slavery was a natural condition". "If you accept it to be natural and normal to be gay then it follows it is not right for two folk who love each other to be denied marriage," he said. He said the Bible was about "universal love, loving your fellow man". The deeply religious Prime Minister said he had changed his view on the issue after "reflection in good Christian conscience." During a frank and at times hostile Q & A session Mr Rudd said he would "trust my future to their (the Australian people) judgment". His retort to the Pastor won viewers' praise on Twitter, with many supporting Mr Rudd including celebrities. His wife Therese Rein also showed her support, retweeting: The moment hit YouTube and viewers were already rewtweeting it on Twitter. Clive Palmer meanwhile said he'll never express his stance on gay marriage because he doesn't want to intimidate members of his party into adopting his view. Mr Palmer also criticised Mr Rudd's decision to change his position on marriage equality. "If Mr Rudd was sincere on that issue that would have been his position for a long time," he told reporters. "These sort of social issues - whether it's abortion, euthanasia, gay marriage - they really come to you at some stage in your life. "Certainly during your twenties you should have formed that view." Mr Palmer said he would like to express his views on gay marriage but it would be irresponsible as it was his party's policy to allow a conscience vote. "For too long in this country leaders of parties have stated their position and have told members what they should do," he said. "I would like to (state my position) but I can't because I'd intimidate our members when exercising their free conscience." Asked if it was safe to say he was a progressive man he said: "It's never safe to say anything about me." RUDD SAYS HE STRUGGLED WITH PNG POLICY Meanwhile, facing an audience of questions in his hometown of Brisbane on Q & A last night, the Prime Minister said he had spent many days and nights questioning if he had done the right thing on implementing a new asylum policy to send refugees to Papua New Guinea. Mr Rudd stopped short of admitting he had lurched to the right on the issue, but said it ultimately was the best policy to deal with a difficult topic. He appeared to catch himself before he said the word "lurched". "Have I wrestled with it night and day - you betcha," Mr Rudd said. Mr Rudd was accused by an audience member and former Labor voter of "being almost the same person" as Tony Abbott. Mr Rudd rolled his eyes and looked awkward at the remark. Boat arrival numbers fall under PNG policy Three-year-old girl's "miracle" survival from sinking boat Voice of Australia: Election 2013 latest ISSUES VOTERS CARE ABOUT The PM was also challenged about better wages for aged care nurses and why the government wasn't doing more to stop the duopoly of Coles and Woolworths affecting farmers' incomes. "I worry about pricing our farm sector out of business," he said. "I share your concern and I believe we need to take further action to defend our farm sector. "I don't won't to see them have the power to smash the farming sector to bits." When pressed by host Tony Jones what his biggest mistake was Mr Rudd evaded the question saying his latest reincarnation as leader had been too short to admit he had made one. "You are not looking at captain perfection here," he said. "We have one core principal, preserving a fair go for all." RUDD ADMITS TO MAKING MISTAKES Margie Macdonald opened the program telling Mr Rudd he had started with vision when he came to government but he had undermined the Gillard government and challenged him to illustrate why Labor voters like her should vote for him again. Another questioner, Sophie said she shared Labor's socialist values but said it was now a centre-left party, while a third questioner said he was "bellwether" leader who went with the tide of public opinion who didn't actually stand for anything. "We have made mistakes ... it's the nature of political life," Mr Rudd said. Mr Rudd said earlier today he would look at reversing welfare reforms that forced single mothers off the single parent payment and onto the dole and was again asked today about the issue. He said budget pressure was the major hurdle but he wasn't "comfortable where we are on this". "As soon as budget measures allow we will deal with this," he said. "I was very uncomfortable with it then - uncomfortable about where we are now." Play now and catch a vote for Tony Abbott and Kevin Rudd in 60 seconds
250pxLocalisation du Territoire de la capitale australienne (en rouge)




L' a adopté le projet de loi autorisant les couples de même sexe à se marier, le projet avait pourtant été rejeté au niveau fédéral en septembre 2012 avec 98 voix contre et 42 pour. Le projet a été adopté à 8 voix contre 7, deux des 17 membres de l'assemblée étaient absents lors du vote. 

Le procureur général de l'assemblée,  a fait une série d'amendements de dernière minute pour s'assurer que le projet de loi pourrait survivre à une contestation judiciaire. La loi permet aux couples de même sexe de toute l'Australie de se marier dans le .

La ,  a déclaré que le gouvernement allait s'efforcer à traiter tout le monde  équitablement selon la loi et ce malgré la menace de contestation judiciaire.

Le député fédéral local, , ardent défenseur des droits des couples de même sexe, a applaudi le projet de loi, mais le , , a indiqué que son gouvernement allait contester la loi devant la .

L' avait déjà tenté de faire passer une loi autorisant le mariage aux couples de même sexe en 2006 mais elle avait été bloquée par le  sur les conseils du Premier ministre alors en fonction . Le projet de loi a été adopté à nouveau après que Howard a perdu ses fonctions en 2007, mais les dispositions sur le mariage ont été retirés de l'acte sous la menace d'être rejetée par le Premier ministre . Rudd est désormais favorable au le mariage homosexuel.