Australia PM vows gay marriage vote despite homophobia fears

Australia's prime minister insisted on Monday a referendum on legalising same-sex marriage will be held this year if his government is re-elected despite the Labor opposition calling it "a taxpayer-funded platform for homophobia".

The country holds elections on July 2 with the latest opinion poll showing the ruling Liberal-led coalition and Labor neck-and-neck.

Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull, who is well-known for his support of gay marriage, is in favour of a referendum on the issue instead of a parliamentary vote.

But Labor has hardened its language against a public vote, in what commentators said was a strategic move to set up the issue as a clear choice on polling day.