The Australian opposition on Tuesday decided to block government plans for a public but non-binding vote on recognising gay marriage, arguing it would better if the issue was decided in Parliament.
Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull's conservative coalition government needs the centre-left Labour Party's support to get enabling legislation through the Senate to hold a national vote on gay marriage on February 11.
But a meeting of Labour lawmakers on Tuesday unanimously decided against supporting the plebiscite, opposition leader Bill Shorten said.
