Australia’s highest court has struck down a law allowing the country’s first gay marriages, shattering the dreams of over two dozen same-sex newly- weds whose marriages will be annulled less than a week after their weddings.

Australia’s highest court has struck down a landmark law allowing the country’s first gay marriages.

Australia’s first gay and lesbian weddings could be annulled within a week if a high court challenge is successful.

Prime minister Kevin Rudd won appraisal after he mounted a spirited defence of same-sex marriage only days out from Australian elections.