Australia's New PM: Civil Unions OK

Newly elected Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd said yesterday that his administration will not interfere with states or territories that move to legalize civil unions for gay couples. The state of Victoria and the Australian Capital Territory are both expected to pass civil union laws early next year.

Previous attempts to pass such legislation were thwarted by previous Prime Minister John Howard. Rudd has said that he opposes the approval of civil unions or gay marriages on the federal level, so like in the United States, Australia will likely be advancing on marriage equality state-by-state.