While the ACT lost this battle, the High Court's decision makes it clear the Australian constitution allows marriage to change over time to include people of the same sex, writes George Williams.
The states and territories can enact a same-sex marriage law. The constitutional question is whether such a law is inconsistent with the federal Marriage Act, writes George Williams.
Rather than uniting Australians, a plebiscite on gay marriage is likely to deepen divisions and further polarise the community, writes George Williams.