Same-sex couples can tie the knot in a month

AUSTRALIA: Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull rushed gay marriage into law yesterday by gaining a final signature on a bill hours after it was overwhelmingly endorsed by Parliament and as the nation started planning weddings that can take place in a month.

Turnbull travelled to Government House, where GovernorGeneral Peter Cosgrove signed the bill into law. The signature makes gay marriage legal from today, when same-sex couples who wed overseas will be recognised as married under Australian law. Couples who intend to marry must give a month’s notice, making gay weddings legal on January 9.

Turnbull described Parliament voting late Thursday for gay marriage, with only four lawmakers registering their opposition, as a historic moment. ‘‘Containing my emotions to a suitable, prime ministerial level of calm is quite challenging. I am absolutely pumped. I think this is so wonderful,’’ he said after Parliament passed the bill and the public gallery gave a standing ovation.

Celebrations continued late into the night in Oxford St, the centre of Sydney’s gay nightlife, which is in Turnbull’s electorate. He has been a long-term advocate for marriage equality, and is the first prime minister to attend Sydney’s renowned annual Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras, which is also in his electorate.

Hours after Parliament’s action, a Sydney municipal council offered free venues to host same-sex marriages. The Inner West Council is accepting bookings for same-sex marriages in its halls, community centres and parks at no charge over a 100-day period from January 7.

‘‘This is an historic day in the struggle for civil rights in Australia,’’ mayor Darcy Byrne said.

It follows the downtown Sydney municipality’s decision in October to offer free venues for same-sex weddings should they become lawful. –