Australian prime minister rushes gay marriage into law

Australia's prime minister rushed gay marriage into law on Friday by gaining a final signature on a bill hours after it was overwhelming endorsed by Parliament and as the nation started planning weddings that can take place in a month.

Members of parliament, from left, Cathy McGowan, Adam Brandt and Andrew Wilkie celebrate the passing of the Marriage Amendment Bill in the House of Representatives at Parliament House in Canberra, Thursday, Dec. 7, 2017.  (Mick Tsikas/AAP Image via AP)

Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull traveled to Government House where Governor-General Peter Cosgrove signed the bill into law on behalf of Queen Elizabeth II, Australia's constitutional head of state.

Same-sex marriage campaigners and volunteers cheer as they call on politicians to pass marriage equality legislation during rally outside Parliament House in Canberra, Australia, Thursday, Dec. 7, 2017.  (Lukas Coch/AAP Image via AP)

Cosgrove's signature makes gay marriage legal in Australia from Saturday, when same-sex couples who wed overseas will be recognized as married under Australian law. Couples who intend to marry must give a calendar-month notice, making gay weddings legal on Jan. 9, Turnbull said.

Neville Wills, 98, plans to marry his partner of 39 years, Ian Fenwicke, 74, next month.

Opposition Labor Party Senator Penny Wong, left, celebrates with former Olympic champion swimmer Ian Thorpe, center, and Sen. Janet Rice at Parliament House in Canberra, Australia, Thursday, Dec. 7, 2017.  (AP Photo/Rod McGuirk)

Some practical reasons to marry become pressing with age. Relatives have contested wills that left estates to same-sex partners, and gays and lesbians want rights to access and medical consultation when a partner is hospitalized.

Australian Sen. Louise Pratt, left, kisses actress Magda Szubanski at Parliament House in Canberra, Australia, Thursday, Dec. 7, 2017. (AP Photo/Rod McGuirk)

"The reason is to have a legal relationship that's not in any way challenged — and, of course, we love each other," Wills said. "We'll get the legal relationship straightened out in January. Call it a wedding if you like, I'm not romantic," he added.

Australian former Olympic champion swimmer Ian Thorpe addresses reporters at Parliament House in Canberra, Australia, on Thursday, Dec. 7, 2017.  (AP Photo/Rod McGuirk)

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 erupted with a standing ovation.

Celebrations continued late into the night in Oxford Street, the center of Sydney's gay nightlife which is in Turnbull's electorate.

Australian former Olympic champion swimmer Ian Thorpe addresses reporters at Parliament House in Canberra, Australia, on Thursday, Dec. 7, 2017. (AP Photo/Rod McGuirk)

Turnbull 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.

Australian actress Magda Szubanski celebrates at Parliament House in Canberra, Australia, Thursday, Dec. 7, 2017.  (AP Photo/Rod McGuirk)

The Inner West Council is accepting bookings for same-sex marriages in its halls, community centers and parks at no charge over a 100-day period from Jan. 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.

The Australian Capital Territory government, which administers Canberra, the national capital, introduced its own same-sex marriage law in 2013 that was overturned by the High Court within a week.

ACT Attorney General Gordon Ramsay said his government would waive the 55 Australian dollar ($41) cost of wedding certificate for any of the 31 same-sex couples whose short-lived marriages were ruled invalid and want to marry again.

"It's a way of being able to acknowledge the difficulties that some of those couples have been through," Ramsay told Australian Broadcasting Corp.

Anne-Marie Delahunt, who married her partner Meg Clark in Canberra in 2013, said she would take up the government's offer when they marry again in February.

"I think it was a touching measure from the ACT Government to say that our second marriage certificate will be free," Delahunt told ABC.

Gay marriage was endorsed by 62 percent of voters who responded to a national postal ballot by November.

Most gay rights advocates believed the government should have allowed marriages years ago and saw various ideas for a public survey as a delaying tactic. The U.N. Human Rights Committee had called the ballot survey "an unnecessary and divisive public opinion poll."

ADELAIDE, Australia (AP) — Jinichiro Kozuma birdied his first three holes in a bogey-free round of 9-under 63 to take a one-stroke lead Friday after the first round of the LIV Series golf tournament.

Starting on the 15th hole in the shotgun-style start, the Japanese player had seven birdies and an eagle on the par-5 seventh hole at The Grange, where last year's inaugural event featured one of the largest galleries of the year on the LIV series.

Local media reported 40,000 spectators attended Friday.

“Today my putting was really good, it was really hot,” Kozuma said. “I had some troubles here and there, but my putting was there to help me get through pars."

Carlos Ortiz and Danny Lee were tied for second with 64s, while four others were tied for fourth with 65s. The group included Jon Rahm, who has yet to win since joining LIV in December.

“Obviously on any kind of golf course, if you start the tournament with an 8-under round, it’s very good," Lee said. "There’s a lot of birdie holes out there. Whatever I was doing today and whatever Jinny (Kozuma) was doing today worked out pretty good.”

Ortiz said if the wind stays the way it is, coming after the rain leading into the tournament, “I think it definitely sets up the golf course pretty gettable, especially if you put it in the fairway.”

Series points leader Joaquin Niemann, who has two LIV titles this season, opened with a 67. Talor Gooch, who won the first of his three LIV titles last season at Adelaide, shot 68.

The LIV tour remains in the Asia region next week for the May 3-5 Singapore event at the Sentosa Golf Club. Then there's a month-long break before resuming in Houston from June 7-9.

AP golf: https://apnews.com/hub/golf

Captain Sergio Garcia of Fireballs GC hits his shot from the 11th tee during the practice round for LIV Golf Adelaide at the Grange Golf Club Thursday, April 25, 2024, in Adelaide, Australia. (Charles Laberge/LIV Golf via AP)

Captain Martin Kaymer of Cleeks GC hits his shot on the 18th hole during the practice round for LIV Golf Adelaide at the Grange Golf Club Thursday, April 25, 2024, in Adelaide, Australia. (Chris Trotman/LIV Golf via AP)

Captain Phil Mickelson of HyFlyers GC hits a shot on the second hole during the practice round for LIV Golf Adelaide at the Grange Golf Club Thursday, April 25, 2024, in Adelaide, Australia. (Matthew Harris/LIV Golf via AP)

Captain Joaquín Niemann of Torque GC reacts during the practice round for LIV Golf Adelaide at the Grange Golf Club Thursday, April 25, 2024, in Adelaide, Australia. (Charles Laberge/LIV Golf via AP)

Captain Dustin Johnson of 4Aces GC is shown during the practice round for LIV Golf Adelaide at the Grange Golf Club Thursday, April 25, 2024, in Adelaide, Australia. (Matt Turner/LIV Golf via AP)

Jinichiro Kozuma of Iron Heads GC waits on the 18th hole during the practice round for LIV Golf Adelaide at the Grange Golf Club Thursday, April 25, 2024, in Adelaide, Australia. (Chris Trotman/LIV Golf via AP)