ACT gay marriaged annulled

[Br.IanVonTurpie]

http://www.ntnews.com.au/news/national/high-court-strikes-down-acts-samesex-marriage-laws/story-fnjbnxug-1226781468924


The High Court has struck down the ACT's same-sex marriage laws. 
 
The court unanimously ruled that the ACT's Marriage Equality (Same Sex) Act 2013 could not operate concurrently with the federal Marriage Act 1961.


Couples who have already tied the knot will have their unions annulled.

The High Court agreed with the Commonwealth that it had sole power on determining marriage laws following a hearing last week.

The Abbott government did not seek an injunction to prevent marriages from taking place, meaning couples had a five-day window to wed from last weekend when the laws came into effect.

Some 15 couples took the opportunity last weekend and there had been more since but their unions will not stand.

The ACT Legislature passed the Marriage Equality Same Sex Act 2013 by 9 votes to 8 in October with the support of the Labor Government and its one Greens member.

Earlier today, ACT Chief Minister Katy Gallagher said any High Court decision to strike down the territory's same-sex marriage laws will force the federal parliament to act.

Ms Gallagher said she was anxious about the court's ruling, especially as almost 30 same-sex couples have taken advantage of the laws by marrying in Canberra since Saturday.

But she defended her government's decision to initiate the landmark legislation.

``Even if we are unsuccessful today, we think there has been a step forward in the marriage-equality debate,'' she told ABC television.

If the laws are struck down, because they are inconsistent with the Commonwealth's Marriage Act, the focus would shift to the federal parliament.




I can't believe Australia is in so much of a mess right now and all they are using parliament for is to discuss poofters getting married! what most people want to see is these homos all dead not married and paying Indian sow surrogates off for kids to bring here!