In his presidential address to the Synod of the Diocese of Melbourne, the Most Revd Keith Rayner, Primate of the Australian Anglican Church, said that the ordination of women bishops was a logical progression after women priests, and called on the diocese to carefully study the matter.

Admitting that it was a controversial issue, Archbishop Rayner went on to say: "Nevertheless, I have to say that the ordination of women to the episcopate is no more than a logical consequence of ordination of women to the priesthood.

"Now we have women whose experience in priestly ministry makes them eligible for consideration, the General Synod should take the opportunity to open every order of ministry to women as soon as possible." The Primate went on the praise the contribution of women priests and deacons to the Church.

At the moment two General Synod bodies of the Church, the Doctrine Commission, and the Canon Law Commission, are examining the issues.