High Court shoots down ACT’s same sex marriage laws

Just a few days after Ivan Hinton and Chris Teoh signed the marriage registration papers at Canberra’s Old Parliament House, the High Court of Australia ruled that ACT’s Marriage Equality Act 2013 could not operate concurrently with the Federal Marriage Act 1961. (Source: AFP)

The High Court of Australia is the highest court of the land and the final court of appeal in Australia. It has the power of judicial review over laws passed by lower courts, the Parliament of Australia and the parliaments of States, and interprets the Constitution of Australia.

Therefore, its ruling regarding same-sex marriage becomes final and executory, making all such marriages performed in the Australian Capital Territory (ACT) null and void.

However, a bill to allow same-sex marriage was introduced to the Western Australian parliament by Greens MP Lynn MacLaren. She said she had introduced a bill that could survive a High Court challenge.

On the other hand, the Catholic Church opposes gay marriage and the social acceptance of homosexuality and same-sex relationships, but teaches that homosexual persons deserve respect, justice and pastoral care. The Vatican has spoken out against the growing number of places that recognize same-sex marriages.