Gillard's charity dinner hijacked by gay lobby

AUSTRALIA'S premier Julia Gillard faces an ambush by gay and lesbian activists aiming to change her mind on the issue of same-sex marriage.

Ms Gillard, who is opposed to gay marriage, offered to host a dinner for six guests at her official residence in Canberra at a National Press Gallery charity auction earlier this week.

The highest bidder was the activist group GetUP! which offered A$31,000 (23,000) aiming to get an audience with the premier.

GetUp! spokesman Paul Mackay said he hoped the dinner would convince the premier to lead her centre-left Labour Party to change its policy on gay marriage at its annual national conference later this year.

Ms Gillard's office last night refused to comment.