Kylie’s ultimatum to Australia: pass gay marriage law or I stay unwed

Kylie Minogue and her British fiancé have postponed their wedding until Australia legalises same-sex marriage.

The Australian singer — an idol to the gay community — had planned to tie the knot in Melbourne but will not do so until the law is changed, in solidarity with same-sex couples.

Her fiancé, the actor Joshua Sasse, said: “We won’t get married until this law is passed in Australia. When I found that gay marriage was illegal in Australia I was astounded.”

Mr Sasse, who at 28 is 20 years younger than his fiancée, has been a vocal supporter of the “Say I Do Down Under” campaign for marriage equality.

“I simply cannot fathom on any level, whether moral or religious or anything, that I have the right to marry the person I love and that somebody else doesn’t because of their sexual orientation,” he told Australia’s Channel Seven.

The couple became engaged in February but their marriage plans may have to remain on hold for some time yet.

While the Australian government has promised a plebiscite on the issue next February, the date has yet to be confirmed by parliament and even a “yes” vote for same-sex marriage would be non-binding.

Opposition parties want the issue put to a vote in parliament but the government is standing by its pre-election pledge to hold a plebiscite.

Whatever the voting method, the outcome is far from certain. While opinion polls suggest that most Australians are in favour of same-sex marriage, many also feel that it is not a matter of great national concern.

In a 2011 survey, only six out of 30 coalition and Labor MPs indicated that their electorates were in favour of same-sex marriage.

If the plebiscite does go ahead the government will share £9 million between pro and–anti-campaigners to help promote their cases.

Some social commentators fear that such a campaign could foment homophobia and even lead to suicides in the LGBT community.

The stalemate could mean that there will be no same-sex marriage law until the next election, which is nearly three years away.