ACT to say 'I do' to same-sex marriage

Updated

The ACT is set to make history today by becoming the first Australian jurisdiction to recognise same-sex marriage.

Debate on the ACT Labor Government's Marriage Equality Same-Sex Bill is underway in the Legislative Assembly.

More than 100 members of the public are watching the debate in the public gallery and reception room, which has been decorated with balloons.

The laws are expected to pass with the support of Greens MLA Shane Rattenbury, allowing an authorised celebrant to marry same-sex couples within the ACT, regardless of where in Australia they live.

Chief Minister Katy Gallagher said in an address to the ACT Parliament this morning that her government had moved to enact the law despite the threat of a High Court challenge by the Commonwealth.

"There is no longer any excuse if there ever was to discriminate against same sex couples in our community," she said.

"They are our children, our parents, our brothers, our sisters, our leaders, our business people, our mentors and our colleagues. More than anything, they are our equals.

"The marriage equality act puts this fundamental principle and human right into law."

The Government will make amendments to the bill, initially tabled as the Marriage Equality Bill, during a debate this morning.

The changes to wording seek to clarify the scope of the bill and give it more chance of surviving a High Court challenge by the Federal Government.

It is not yet clear how soon couples can marry once the bill is passed.

There will also be a delay after the law comes into effect before the High Court hands down its decision, leaving the status of marriages that occur in the interim up in the air.

But the uncertainty is not deterring couples who are planning to marry before Christmas.

Sorry, this video has expired Video: Gay couple hoping to be first to marry under new laws (ABC News)

Lobby group Australian Marriage Equality says more than 700 couples have expressed interest in marrying in the ACT.

Briony Rollings and her partner were married overseas and are planning another ceremony in Canberra.

She says she is disappointed but not surprised by the Federal Government's opposition.

"It's not going to stop me to continue to fight for my rights. Each time I want to make it harder for them to say no to us," she said.

Susan Nicholls and Christine Healy also hope to be among the first to marry in the capital.

"Chris and I have been together 28 years. It is a very long engagement," Ms Nicholls said.

Topics: sexuality, federal---state-issues, states-and-territories, marriage, act, canberra-2600

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