THURSDAY, March 28, 2024
nationthailand

Local Australian parliament allows gay marriage

Local Australian parliament allows gay marriage

CANBERRA, Australia (AP) _ Provincial lawmakers for the territory that includes Australia's capital voted Tuesday to allow same-sex marriage, a first for the country, but the federal government says it will try to stop gay weddings from happening.

 
 
The parliament of the Australian Capital Territory passed the law in a 9-8 vote, drawing a standing ovation from the 200-strong crowd in the parliament's public gallery. Many sang John Paul Young's 1970s pop hit ``Love is in Air,'' in celebration.   
 
Gay couples are expected to rush to Canberra, the national capital and the territory's only city, to tie the knot before the federal government can overturn the law, either through a court ruling or a federal parliamentary vote. Barring such obstacles, same-sex marriages could begin in December.   
 
The conservative Liberal Party is in the opposition in the provincial parliament but led a coalition victory to win back the national government in elections last month.   
 
Federal Attorney General George Brandis said his government has legal advice that the legislation is invalid.   
 
``Irrespective of anyone's views on the desirability or otherwise of same-sex marriage, it is clearly in Australia's interests that there be nationally consistent marriage laws,'' Brandis said in a statement confirming the legal challenge.   
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