Landmark U.S. court ruling to influence marriage equality in Australia: minister

Australian Minister for Communications Malcolm Turnbull said the landmark U.S. Supreme Court ruling for marriage equality would clearly influence Australia.

"The fact is that there has been a sea change around the world, " Turnbull told the Australian Broadcasting Corporation on Sunday morning. "All of the English-speaking countries that we are closest to, Britain, Ireland, Canada, the United States, New Zealand, South Africa, they all allow gay marriage," Turnbull said.

In a 5-4 ruling on Friday, the U.S. Supreme Court determined that U.S. state bans on same-sex marriage were unconstitutional, thereby legalizing same-sex marriage in all 50 U.S. states.

Turnbull said if there were a free vote on the issue of marriage equality when the Australian parliament returns from its winter recess, he would vote for it.

"Yes, my view is that we should have a free vote," Turnbull said. "If there is a free vote, I would vote for gay marriage."

Australian Federal Opposition leader Bill Shorten introduced a private members bill to recognize same-sex marriage in May which is due to be decided upon after the Australian parliament's winter recess.

Australian Prime Minster Tony Abbott remained steadfast in his opposition to the bill, saying for his party members to have a free-vote, rather than a party-line vote, it must be a cross party approach between the ruling and opposition political parties rather than a private members bill.

"If our parliament were to make a big decision on a matter such as this, I want it to be owned by the parliament, and not by any particular party," Abbott said.

At the Liberal federal council meeting on Saturday, Abbott said he "noted" the U.S. decision but reaffirmed his personal opposition to same-sex marriage.

"I know not everyone shares that position but my own views on this subject are very well known and I'd like to assure you that they haven't changed," he said. "What happens in the United States is a matter for the United States, just as what happened in Ireland a few weeks ago is a matter for the Irish."

"Plainly there is a debate taking place in Australia. But let's not forget that this is not a new debate," Abbott said. Endi