New South Wales could be the first state to legalise same-sex marriage in Australia, with a parliamentary committee finding it can be legislated at a state level. The Social Issues Committee Inquiry has ruled it's constitutionally valid for NSW to legislate on same-sex marriage. But it's warned such a move could trigger a challenge in the High Court. Premier Barry O'Farrell has previously said he'd be prepared to go it alone if the inquiry found the state can act by itself, but would prefer legislation at a federal level, AAP reports. Australian Marriage Equality national director, Rodney Croome, says the report has national implications, removing a major obstacle that had blocked reform across several states. The group will lobby state MPs in earnest both in NSW and in Tasmania and South Australia where reform has a good chance of passing. Croome says he hopes to see same-sex couples marrying in at least one state or territory by the end of the year, although he'd prefer to see it legislated at a federal level.
Credit: GayNZ.com Daily News staff
First published: Saturday, 27th July 2013 - 2:48pm