us ambassador introduces "husband", page-24

"Asked to clarify his views on homosexuality he said: "There is no doubt that challenges, if you like, orthodox notions of the right order of things," he said last night.

He was expanding on comments he made on 60 Minutes on Sunday night, in which he said: "I probably feel a bit threatened (by homosexuality), as so many people do."

He went on to say he tried to "treat people as people and not put them in pigeonholes", but gay rights groups have said it shows Mr Abbott is living in the 1950s.

Gay rights campaigner Anthony Bendall said Mr Abbott should have kept his feelings to himself for the good of young people struggling with their sexuality. "It certainly isn't a very helpful comment in terms of trying to eliminate discrimination and homophobia," he said."