Australia's ban on gay marriage is being questioned after Finance Minister Penny Wong announced that she and her gay partner are expecting a child.

Wong saidTuesday that her long-term partner, Sophie Allouoache, has conceived through in vitro fertilization and expects to give birth in December.

Prime Minister Julia Gillard said she was very pleased for the two women, but has not changed her personal view that marriage must be between a man and a woman.

She said her ruling Labor Party expects to have a vigorous debate on the issue at its annual national conference in December.