A South Australian Labor MLC has delivered a stinging attack on the federal ALP over its ban on same-sex marriage after he was prevented by his party from moving a bill to legalise same-sex marriage under state law.

Ian Hunter, who is openly gay, called the policy “odious” and “morally bankrupt”, comparing it to the White Australia policy, which he termed “a shameful blot on the ALP’s soul”.

Referring to the federal Minister for Finance and Deregulation, Penny Wong, Hunter said he was thankful he was not a minister and therefore restricted from speaking on issues outside his portfolio or forced to publicly support policies he privately felt were wrong.

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