Australian territory becomes first to legalise gay unions
SYDNEY — An Australian territory became the first to legalise civil partnership ceremonies for same-sex couples, in a move supporters hoped would spark national momentum.
Under the new laws, gay couples will be able to hold a legally recognised civil union ceremony in the Australian Capital Territory (ACT), home to the nation's parliament.
The region's legislators approved the bill on Wednesday, moved by the ACT Greens party, after an amendment banning heterosexual couples from being recognised under the system.
The amendment means the law will not go against national legislation that says civil unions must not mimic marriage.
"We understand that this is not same-sex marriage," said Greens MP Shane Rattenbury, who drafted the bill.
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