The Christian Lobby is celebrating the swift turning wheels of reactionary justice as the High Court takes a directions hearing three days after the ACT Legislative Assembly passed Gay Marriage laws:
The High Court hearing into the ACT’s Marriage Equality Same-Sex Bill is expected to begin tomorrow after the Commonwealth lodged a writ of summons in the High Court challenging the law. The federal government says the bill is inconsistent with the Commonwealth Marriage Act and the Family Law Act. It’s requested the High Court to expedite a hearing into the legislation.
ABC News is reporting a judge has listed the matter for hearing tomorrow afternoon. Earlier today The Canberra Times reported on the writ, which includes a proposed timeline for the matter to be heard. It sets out a one or two day hearing of the full court as early as November 26.
“The Commonwealth contends that the proceeding should be heard at the earliest possible date, to reduce or avoid the uncertainty that will hang over the validity of the ACT Marriage ACT,” the writ says. “That uncertainty is exacerbated to the extent that persons may wish to enter into marriages under the ACT Marriage Act before its validity is determined.”
The ACT’s Chief Minister Katy Gallagher and Attorney-General Simon Corbell continue to defend the ACT bill saying it has a high chance of surviving. Legal advice prepared for the ACL suggests the bill is inconsistent with the constitution.