Provincial parliament in Australia passes law allowing same sex weddings

A provincial parliament in Canberra on Tuesday passed the first law allowing same-sex marriage in Australia.           

However, with the federal government threatening a court challenge, the law could be short-lived.         

The Australian Capital Territory's parliament passed the law with the support of lawmakers from the province's governing Labour and Greens parties.                   

All eight opposition Liberal Party lawmakers in the 17-seat Legislative Assembly voted against the bill.              

The first marriages could take place in the capital Canberra in December.         

But federal Attorney General George Brandis, a member of the Liberal Party, said his government has legal advice that the legislation is invalid.            

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

Her deputy Andrew Barr was brought to tears when explaining the significance of the laws.               

"Today's legislation continues the tradition of nation-leadiing reforms from the ACT (Australian Capital Territory) government," Barr told the assembly.          

"Reforms that impact positively on the lives of thousands of Canberrans living in same-sex relationships. But reforms that also impact positively on parents - parents who want their children to live happy, productive and healthy lives without having to experience fear, hate and discrimination."          

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 federal bills that would have allowed legal recognition of same-sex relationships.           

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

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

She said the prime minister supported her relationship.              

However, brother and sister disagreed on whether same-sex relationships should be legally recognised as marriages.           

Gay lobby group Australian Marriage Equality said thousands of same-sex couples from across Australia had shown interest in tying the knot in Canberra.         

The capital territory encompasses mainly Canberra, with a population of 360-thousand.            


AP