Australia’s parliament has blocked plans to hold a national referendum on gay marriage amid fears a public vote would be "divisive".
The Senate - the upper house of Parliament in Australia – rejected proposals by the government to hold a country-wide ballot.
Gay rights activists have welcomed the decision after fears a nationwide referendum could lead to a divisive campaign and parliament should decide itself.
Opinion polls suggest most Australians support same-sex marriage and the government believes a vote is the quickest way to get a change in the law.
Senator Penny Wong told parliament she was opposing the vote because she does not want families and children to be “publicly denigrated”.
Currently same-sex couples can have civil unions or registered relationships in most states but are not considered married under national law.
Opposition parties and supporters of same-sex marriage say parliament should make a decision itself.
Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull is personally in favour of same-sex marriage but has previously expressed reluctance to give a free vote.
