Gay couples to head for Canberra after same-sex marriage ruling

The parliament of the Australian Capital Territory passed the law in a 9-8 vote, drawing a standing ovation from the 200-strong crowd in the parliament’s public gallery. Many sang John Paul Young’s 1970s pop hit Love Is In The Air in celebration.

Gay couples are expected to rush to Canberra, the national capital and the territory’s only city, to tie the knot before the federal government can overturn the law, either through a court ruling or a federal parliamentary vote. Barring such obstacles, same-sex marriages could begin in December.

The conservative Liberal Party is in the opposition in the provincial parliament but led a coalition victory to win back the national government in elections last month.

Federal Attorney General George Brandis said his government has legal advice that the legislation is invalid.

“Irrespective of anyone’s views on the desirability or otherwise of same-sex marriage, it is clearly in Australia’s interests that there be nationally consistent marriage laws,” he said in a statement confirming the legal challenge.

Australian Capital Territory Chief Minister Katy Gallagher refused a request from Mr Brandis to wait to allow any same-sex marriages until the High Court ruled on the law’s constitutional validity.

Australian federal law was amended in 2004 to specify that marriage can only be between a man and a woman.

But it also specifically applied to heterosexual couples, and some lawyers argue that leaves states free to legislate for same-sex marriage.

Prime Minister Tony Abbott opposes gay marriage and his coalition last year thwarted two federal Bills which would have allowed legal recognition of same-sex relationships.

His sister, Christine Forster, disclosed on national television yesterday that she is engaged to her partner of six years, Virginia Edwards.

Ms Forster said they would not marry until they could do so in their hometown of Sydney.

She said her brother supports her relationship, but the siblings disagree over whether same-sex relationships should be legally recognised as marriages.