The ACT Government has decided to avoid further amendment of the new legislation and now runs the risk of destroying the hope of hundreds of couples planning to wed.
After receiving extensive advice from some of Australia’s most eminent constitutional legal minds the ACT Government has decided to avoid further amendment and take it’s chances in the High Court.
Deputy Director of Australian Marriage Equality, Ivan Hinton, spoke on the matter;
“The ACT Government’s refusal to acknowledge the flaws that exist in the current legislation is remarkable considering the quality of advice that has been provided. Brett Walker is recognised as Australia’s top constitutional barrister and George Williams is the most respected academic in the field.”
The minor amendments would have eliminated all potential points of conflict with the Federal Marriage Act. These amendments would have directly addressed concerns that had been identified by the Commonwealth’s Statement of Claim in its petition to the High Court.
Hinton said, “We know of hundreds of couples who have started making plans to celebrate their lifelong commitment to one another in our Nation’s Capital. The hopes and aspirations of these Australians and their families and friends now rest on a decision by the ACT Government to take its chances on a flawed law.”
“Being the first state or territory to enact these laws we had hoped that the ACT would do everything within its authority to ensure these laws survive. At this stage, we do not have confidence that this is the case.”
“We call on the ACT Government to review its decision and hear the voices of the many couples whose main hope is for their wedding vows to last longer than the imminent High Court challenge.”