The Governor-General, Sir Peter Cosgrove receiving the Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull and Attorney-General, Senator the George Brandis for the assent of the Marriage Amendment (Definition and Religious Freedoms) Bill 2017, at Government House in Canberra. Picture: Kym SmithSource:News Corp Australia
SAME-SEX marriage is officially legal in Australia after the Governor-General signed off on the historic laws today.
Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull visited Sir Peter Cosgrove in Canberra for the signing of the bill this morning — the last step to change Australia’s laws.
“I assent to this Act ... the Act now passes into Australian law,” Sir Cosgrove said as he signed a copy of the bill.
The government has set Saturday, December 9 as the date the new laws will take effect and the Attorney-General’s office has confirmed this means weddings can take place from January 9. This is because couples need to lodge a Notice of Intended Marriage one month before their ceremonies.
Couples who got married overseas will have their unions automatically recognised under Australia law on Saturday.
Governor-General gives the SSM bill royal assent0:33
It's official! Marriage Equality has been assent into law by the Governor General. Same-sex marriages can take place in Australia from January 9th.
Ahead of the historic moment, an elated Mr Turnbull encouraged his fellow Australians to start making wedding preparations.
“It is a big Australian hug for all same-sex couples, saying we love and respect you, now go out there and get married,” he told the Seven Network.
The new laws cleared parliament unchanged on Thursday evening after a marathon debate lasting 56 hours and despite a push from conservative MPs for additional religious protections.
Only four MPs in the House of Representatives voted against the private bill, a week after the legislation was agreed to by the Senate.
Celebrations after the Marriage Amendment (Definition and Religious Freedoms) Bill 2017 passes in the House of Representatives Chamber, at Parliament House in Canberra.Source:News Corp Australia
Mr Turnbull described the postal survey on same-sex marriage as a game-changer for the issue, now resolved after years of debate.
He criticised Labor for not progressing the matter when in office but said the victory now belongs to the whole parliament.
The passage of the laws would not put religious freedoms at risk or traditional marriage, he insisted.
“People that think gay people making a commitment is a threat to her marriage fails to realise that the real threat is lack of commitment,” Mr Turnbull said.
A clearly emotional attorney-general shared a drink with Labor senator Penny Wong after the vote to celebrate.
“To see the galleries of the House of Representatives just explode spontaneously was something that was unforgettable,” Senator George Brandis told ABC radio.
“Of all the things I’ve done since I’ve been in parliament I think this is the one that will be most consequential.”
Labor leader Bill Shorten said the new law spoke for a modern, “inclusive and fair” Australia.
— With AAP
The Governor-General, Sir Peter Cosgrove receiving the Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull and Attorney-General, Senator the George Brandis for the assent of the Marriage Amendment (Definition and Religious Freedoms) Bill 2017, at Government House in Canberra. Picture: Kym SmithSource:News Corp Australia
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