MP on Parliament of Australia vote against gay marriage

20 September 2012 Last updated at 07:59 ET Help

Australian members of parliament have overwhelmingly rejected a bill that would have legalised gay marriages after days of heated debate.

The House of Representatives voted 98 to 42 against the bill, with one MP resigning a key post after making controversial comments against it.

Gay rights activists called the decision a "slap on the face," ABC News reported.

Labor backbencher Stephen Jones brought the bill forward and told 5 liveUp All Night that he was surprised by the reaction.

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