South Australian Senator Nick Xenophon is confirming that all four members of his team (NXT) will vote against a plebiscite on legalizing Gay marriage in Australia.  The announcement pretty much puts it on Labor's shoulders to kill off the idea of putting human rights up for a popularity contest.

"We believe that having a plebiscite is unnecessary," said the Senator at Parlaiment house this morning.  "The Parliament ought to determine this.  We are elected by the voters to make decisions.  We are paid well, very well to make those decisions."  Mr. Xenaphon also reiterated his concern with the price tag of a public vote:  "This is a decision that the Parliament ought to be making rather than spending $160 million on a plebiscite."

All four NXT Senators would vote to legalize Marriage Equality if it came up in a parliament vote, he added.

Without NXT's support and not enough cross-benchers to support Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull, Labor will get to make the decision.  Over the weekend, Opposition Leader Bill Shorten released a statement saying his party would block it - unless that meant years of gridlock on the issue.