Australia high court overturns ACT gay marriage law

[Cincinnatus]

Didn't the Australian Capital Territory (ACT) recently go through an orgy of self-congratulations for making gay marriage legal within its area?

Australia's High Court has overturned legislation allowing gay marriage in the Australian Capital Territory (ACT).

The ACT parliament passed a bill in October making the territory the first part of Australia to legalise same-sex weddings.

But the national government challenged the decision, saying it was inconsistent with federal laws.

Some 27 couples who married since the law came into effect last weekend will now have their unions declared invalid.

The court said the issue should be decided by parliament - which in September 2012 voted down gay marriage legislation.

'Matter for lawmakers'
 
The ACT legislation had allowed gay couples to marry inside the ACT, which includes the Australian capital, Canberra - regardless of which state they live in.

Federal law, however, specified in 2004 that marriage was between a man and a woman.

Civil unions are allowed in some states in Australia.

The High Court in Canberra ruled unanimously against the ACT legislation on Thursday, saying that it could not stand alongside national-level laws.

"Whether same sex marriage should be provided for by law is a matter for the federal parliament," it said in a statement.

"The Marriage Act does not now provide for the formation or recognition of marriage between same-sex couples. The Marriage Act provides that a marriage can be solemnised in Australia only between a man and a woman," it added.

Attorney-General George Brandis had previously warned that the local law would face a legal challenge, because it was inconsistent with the country's Marriage Act.

'Clarion call'
 
Australian Marriage Equality National Director Rodney Croome said in a statement: "This is devastating for those couples who married this week and for their families."

Ivan Hinton, who had married his partner Chris Teoh on Saturday, tearfully told reporters: "In less than a week we've been married and we've been unmarried, at least on a legal level."

Crikey, Ivan.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-25344219

[EC]

Some 27 couples who married since the law came into effect last weekend will now have their unions declared invalid.

Look, marriage is marriage. It has a very specific definition - God/man+woman = hope+children+family.

But hell, put yourselves in their shoes for a second.

"Yay! We are married!"

"Um, no, you are not."

Sad faces all around. "Do we at least get our marriage license fee back?"

"Dream on."

[SouthTexas]

Look, marriage is marriage. It has a very specific definition - God/man+woman = hope+children+family.

But hell, put yourselves in their shoes for a second.

"Yay! We are married!"

"Um, no, you are not."

Sad faces all around. "Do we at least get our marriage license fee back?"

"Dream on."

Agreed.  They can call it what they will, but marriage it's not.

"This is devastating for those couples who married this week and for their families."

Don't really see how it could be classified as "devastating" with all the pain and suffering going on around the world but their families?  I'm sure the kids are thrilled that their dad's marrying another man.

[mountaineer]

Chin up. At least they won't have to pay a divorce lawyer when they break up.