Abbott Crushes Gay Marriage Hopes as Party Ructions Exposed

Prime Minister Tony Abbott’s move to block a free vote on same-sex unions in Australia has divided government lawmakers, intensifying doubts about his judgment six months after he survived a leadership challenge.

Abbott effectively killed off chances of marriage equality until after next year’s elections, as two-thirds of coalition lawmakers supported his demand they vote as a bloc against such unions. But the six-hour debate exposed a divide even among Cabinet members.