Wong accuses Christian group of gay 'bigotry' A war of words over gay marriage has broken out between Labor government figures and a powerful Christian lobby group whose support has long been regarded as necessary to winning elections. Finance Minister Penny Wong has accused the ultra-conservative Australian Christian Lobby of "pedalling prejudice" and of engaging in "bigotry that has no place in a modern Australia." Mr Rudd's conversion has inflamed tensions on both sides of the political divide. The sharp rebuke of an organisation actively courted by Prime Minister Julia Gillard followed its claim that Kevin Rudd risked creating another stolen generation by changing his mind to back same-sex marriage. Sharp rebuke: Senator Penny Wong. The ACL claimed that allowing same-sex marriage would create consequences such as the teaching of same-sex education in schools, and technologically-created babies through IVF. "The Prime Minister who rightly gave an apology to the stolen generation has sadly not thought through the fact that [Mr Rudd's] new position on redefining marriage will create another," the ACL said in a statement. Senator Wong, who is in a same-sex relationship herself, said the ACL was speaking nonsense. Mr Rudd's conversion was welcomed by proponents of marriage equality, but has also inflamed tensions on both sides of the political divide, further isolating Ms Gillard's trenchant opposition to the reform, and lifting pressure on Tony Abbott to allow his MPs a free vote. Divisive: Kevin Rudd's support of same sex marriage. Greens deputy leader Adam Bandt, whose private member's bill is due to be debated again next week and brought to a vote on June 6, praised Mr Rudd for changing his mind. It is understood that at least six frontbenchers including Joe Hockey, Greg Hunt, George Brandis, Christopher Pyne and Nigel Scullion had argued in favour of allowing the issue to be decided in Parliament through a free vote when it was brought before shadow cabinet more than a year ago. Labor MPs differed on Tuesday over Mr Rudd's motives for declaring so publicly his change of heart to support same-sex marriage. "Kevin does things with a purpose," one said. Whether it's one, to save his seat, or two, possibly to garner a couple more votes in caucus for a last-ditch attempt to knock off Julia. And why would he raise this issue so close to the election when the overwhelming dialogue in the electorate is about the economy? Praise: Greens MP Adam Bandt has applauded Kevin Rudd's change of mind.