Australian Capital Territory Legalizes Same-Sex Marriage

Forthe first time in Australia, same-sex marriage has been legalized in theAustralian Capital Territory, which hosts the Australian capital of Canberra.

TheLiberal-National coalition federal government says it plans to quicklychallenge the Marriage Equality Bill as contravening the Commonwealth MarriageAct.  Socially-conservative PrimeMinister Tony Abbott is seeking to enforce jurisdiction  over the matter.

See Jason Scott, Australian Territory Legalizes Gay MarriageAhead of Court Test, Bloomberg, Oct. 22, 2013.