Local  , a strong supporter of rights for same-sex couples, applauded the bill, but Tony Abbott has indicated his government will challenge the bill in the . Abbot's sister Christine Forster, a Liberal Party  City Councillor, who is gay, called for Liberals at the federal level to be allowed a . The ACT previously passed a bill providing for civil unions in 2006, which was disallowed by the on the advice of then-Prime Minister  . The bill was passed again after Howard lost office in 2007, but marriage-like provisions were removed from the act under threat of being disallowed by Prime Minister  . Rudd now supports same-sex marriage. This avenue for disallowing ACT legislation was closed in 2011, when Greens  initiated a reform bill taking away the Governor General's ability to disallow territory bills. At present, Tony Abbott does not command a majority in the Senate, so a High Court challenge is an easier option than legislation. The , Section 51(xxi), gives the Commonwealth government — federal government — power to make laws with respect to marriage. The Howard government amended the Commonwealth in 2004 to exclude gay marriages.
Local Federal Member of Parliament , a strong supporter of rights for same-sex couples, applauded the bill, but Tony Abbott has indicated his government will challenge the bill in the . Abbot's sister Christine Forster, a Liberal Party Sydney City Councillor, who is gay, called for Liberals at the federal level to be allowed a . The ACT previously passed a bill providing for civil unions in 2006, which was disallowed by the on the advice of then-Prime Minister John Howard . The bill was passed again after Howard lost office in 2007, but marriage-like provisions were removed from the act under threat of being disallowed by Prime Minister Kevin Rudd . Rudd now supports same-sex marriage. This avenue for disallowing ACT legislation was closed in 2011, when Greens Senator initiated a reform bill taking away the Governor General's ability to disallow territory bills. At present, Tony Abbott does not command a majority in the Senate, so a High Court challenge is an easier option than legislation. The , Section 51(xxi), gives the Commonwealth government — federal government — power to make laws with respect to marriage. The Howard government amended the Commonwealth in 2004 to exclude gay marriages.
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Federal Member of Parliament
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Sydney
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John Howard
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Kevin Rudd
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Senator