Australian Prime Minister John Howard probably won't be overturning his ban on gay marriage, but insiders say he's planning on offering gays some rights:

…Howard could announce within days a new policy to eliminate discrimination against same-sex couples in legislation.

Speculation is mounting that Mr Howard is set to announce changes to give same-sex couples the same rights of access to a partner's superannuation as are enjoyed by married and de facto couples.

As tensions build in Australia, Senator Bob Brown blasted Howard's stagnant policies: "I think he panders to homophobia in our society because he thinks it's been a vote winner and I think he's wrong."