Australian PM Repeats Gay Marriage Opposition

New Australian prime minister Julia Gillard has reiterated her opposition to marriage equality.

Gillard took office earlier this month after Kevin Rudd, whom she served as deputy, stepped down in response to falling Labor Party support. At that time, Gillard was on record as saying in a July 2009 interview that the government viewed marriage as a union between a man and a woman, and she said that position was her personal view.

On Tuesday, Gillard reiterated that statement to the Austereo show, according to the The Sydney Morning Herald.

“We believe the marriage act is appropriate in its current form, that is recognising that marriage is between a man and a woman, but we have as a government taken steps to equalise treatment for gay couples,” she said, according to the Herald.

“Asked if that was also her personal view, Ms Gillard said it was,” according to the Herald.