Australia's high court reverses gay marriage laws

27 couples who were married while the law was in effect will now have their unions declared invalid.

14:02 12 December 2013

In October, gay marriage was allowed in the Australian Capital Territory making it the first part of Australia to legalise same-sex weddings. However, the national government has now opposed the decision saying it was not consistent with federal laws.

As a result, Australia’s High Court has overturned the legislation making 27 same-sex marriages which took place while the law was still in effect, invalid.

Ivan Hinton who married his partner Chris Teoh on Saturday said: "In less than a week we've been married and we've been unmarried, at least on a legal level."

"We're still married. I've made commitments to Chris to spend the rest of my life with him."

In a statement, the High Court in Canberra said: "Whether same sex marriage should be provided for by law is a matter for the federal parliament.”

"The Marriage Act does not now provide for the formation or recognition of marriage between same-sex couples. The Marriage Act provides that a marriage can be solemnised in Australia only between a man and a woman.”

Meanwhile, some people were distressed with the news. One of them is Australian Marriage Equality National Director Rodney Croome who said: "This is devastating for those couples who married this week and for their families."