Australia: Gay Marriage Law Reversed By Court

Australia's highest court has repealed a law permitting gay marriage - meaning dozens of weddings will be annulled within a week of their nuptials.

Around 30 same-sex couples had tied the knot since the Australian Capital Territory passed the legislation last Saturday governing Canberra and its surrounding area.

But the federal government argued the law could not operate concurrently with the federal Marriage Act, which was amended in 2004 to define marriage as between a man and a woman.

The High Court unanimously upheld the challenge, issuing a statement saying: "The Marriage Act does not now provide for the formation or recognition of marriage between same-sex couples.

"The Marriage Act provides that a marriage can be solemnised in Australia only between a man and a woman. That Act is a comprehensive and exhaustive statement of the law of marriage."

Stacey Cowan and Corrina Peck's marriage will also be annulled

Rodney Croome, national director of the advocacy group Australian Marriage Equality, said his group knows of about 30 same-sex couples who have married since Saturday, though the actual number may be slightly higher.

Outside the court in Canberra, a tearful Mr Croome said the ruling was a defeat for marriage equality but that there had been a greater victory this week.

"And that victory was the nation saw for the first time, I believe, what is really at the core of this issue - they've seen that marriage equality is not about protest or politics or even about laws in the constitution, ultimately," he said.

"Marriage equality is about love, commitment, family and fairness."

Among the couples upset by the ruling are Ivan Hinton and Chris Teoh, who were married on Saturday.

The pair received their marriage certificate on Wednesday and immediately applied to change their surnames to Hinton-Teoh.

Mr Hinton insisted he did not regret getting married and said he would consider Mr Teoh his husband anyway.

"This was an unprecedented and historic opportunity," he said.

"I wouldn't have missed it for the world."

Lyle Shelton, managing director of Australian Christian Lobby, praised the court ruling and said common sense had prevailed.

Commenting on those newly-wedded couple affected by the ruling, she said it was "really sad that they were put in a position".

Prime Minister Tony Abbott opposes gay marriage and his coalition blocked two federal bills last year that would have allowed legal recognition of same-sex partnerships.

:: Watch Sky News live on television, on Sky channel 501, Virgin Media channel 602, Freeview channel 82 and Freesat channel 202.

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