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Same-sex marriage to be legalized in Canberra before yearend

Source: Xinhua | September 19, 2013, Thursday | Online Edition

Same-sex marriage will be legalized in Canberra before the end of the year, with the introduction of the Marriage Equality Bill into the Legislative Assembly by the government of the Australian Capital Territory ( ACT) on Thursday.

The Australian Associated Press (AAP) said Thursday that it's expected to pass the Legislative Assembly as soon as October, with the Australian Greens supporting the Labor minority government of the ACT on the move. If successful, the ACT will be the first Australian jurisdiction to legalize same sex marriage.

Chief Minister of the ACT government Katy Gallagher said the government is working towards people being able to marry under the law before the end of the year.

According to local media, it is not the first time the ACT has tried to legislate for marriage equality, with the Civil Unions Bill quashed by the Howard government in 2006. But it will now be much harder for the federal government to overturn the law because it will need a vote in both houses of parliament. And It is highly likely the bill will be challenged in the High Court.

"We know there's some risks attached with this legislation," Gallagher told local media. "But we don't think those risks should stop us proceeding with a commitment we made to the people of the ACT in the election campaign last year."

Commonwealth's Marriage Act of Australia defines marriage as a union between a man and a woman, so same-sex marriage is illegal. If successful, under the law, anyone who can't marry under the Commonwealth's Marriage Act will be able to wed. In other words, couples from outside the ACT would be able to get married in the territory, but their relationships may not be recognized in their home state.

Gallagher indicated that there's a very strong desire by couples including couples in the ACT to have their partnerships recognized legally. "I don't think that people who want to use the Marriage Equality Bill will not use it because of fear that it may be overturned in the future."

Prime Minister Tony Abbott said he has asked for legal advice on the territory's bill to legalize same sex marriage.

"As you know, under the constitution, the Commonwealth has responsibility for marriage and the attorney-general will be seeking advice on precisely how far the ACT can go on this," Abbott said.

The Australian Greens on Thursday called on members of the Labor party to stand together and support marriage equality legislation being upheld in the ACT in a statement.

"The Labor Party must bind their members of parliament (MPs) to vote on block in defending the ACT marriage equality laws," Greens spokesperson for LGBTI (lesbian, gay, bi-sexual, transgender, intersex) Sarah Hanson-Young said.

"The Labor party campaigned on same-sex marriage during the election and it is only right that they support equality now. Any moves to weaken this position by voting with Mr. Abbott would be a breach of trust with the public," she added.

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