Thousands marched through the streets of Sydney on Saturday calling for the legalisation of gay marriage.
Demonstrators carried signs and chanted slogans-- and at one point, clashed with anti-gay marriage demonstrators.
Meanwhile, across town, members of the ruling center-left Labor party discussed the issue during a national conference.
Although divided on the topic, the party voted to endorse same-sex marriage-- knowing full well, the measure would find tough opposition if it ever goes up for a parliamentary vote.
Australia's finance minister, who herself is in a committed lesbian relationship, was heckled by another party member when she spoke on the issue.
(SOUNDBITE) (English) AUSTRALIAN MINISTER FOR FINANCE, PENNY WONG, SAYING:
"Equality does not..." (she stops speaking as an anti-gay heckler in the audience interrupts)
(SOUNDBITE) (English) UNIDENTIFIED MAN IN AUDIENCE, SAYING:
"It's against natural law."
(SOUNDBITE) (English) AUSTRALIAN MINISTER FOR FINANCE, PENNY WONG, SAYING:
"We know the worth of our relationships, and we want their value reflected in, and not diminished by the party's platform."
The heckler was eventually escorted out of the conference.
Australia's Prime Minsiter Julia Gillard, who's against same-sex marriage, said she wants lawmakers to quote 'vote their conscience' rather than along party lines if the measure is tabled in parliament.
Julie Noce, Reuters
