An upcoming gay marriage law in
Australia could be knocked down just days after taking effect on
Saturday.
The Australian Capital Territory (ACT)
approved the law allowing gay and lesbian couples to marry in the
territory, which includes Canberra, the nation's capital, in October.
Prime Minister Tony Abbott, whose
conservative Liberal-National coalition swept into power on September
7 on a pledge to lower taxes, immediately filed a legal challenge to
the law, arguing that only the federal government has the power to
regulate marriage.
According to the AP, the court heard
arguments in the case on Tuesday and announced that it would deliver
its ruling on December 12.
Lawyers representing the ACT government
argued that the law was legal because it only applies to couples that
do not qualify under the federal government's definition as being a
heterosexual union.
Abbott, who has repeatedly stated his
opposition to marriage equality, warned gay couples from marrying in
the ACT until after the High Court has ruled on the legislation's
validity.
“If as I think the ACT legislation
turns out to be invalid under the constitution, well then those
marriages wouldn't be valid,” Abbott
told 3AW. “So I'd suggest to people who would like to be
married under the ACT legislation – hold on 'til its validity is
tested.”
However, at least a dozen gay couples
are preparing to inaugurate the law on Saturday.