The Australian Capital Territory has passed the first law allowing same-sex marriage in Australia, but it could be short-lived, with the federal Government threatening a court challenge.
All eight opposition Liberal Party MPs in the 17-seat Legislative Assembly voted against the bill. The first marriages could take place in Canberra in December, but federal Attorney-General George Brandis said his government has legal advice that the legislation was invalid. Australian federal law was amended in 2004 to specify that marriage can only be between a man and a woman.
But it also specifically applied to heterosexual couples, and some lawyers argue that leaves states free to legislate for same-sex marriage.
