Dr Foskey tabled legislation yesterday that would allow gay and lesbian couples to mark their relationships with a legally binding ceremony. The option was part of the ACT Government's same-sex partnership laws but was cut when the Federal Government forced the territory to water down the legislation.

The ACT allows gay and lesbian couples to formally register their relationships but does not provide them with a legal ceremony. Attorney-General Simon Corbell said the Government was considering the bill and would announce its position on the legislation before it was debated.

He told ABC radio that if the bill was passed it could jeopardise the Government's existing laws on same-sex couples. But Dr Foskey said Mr Corbell had not done his legal homework.

''All our investigation indicates that if the Federal Government wants to repeal our new addition then it can do that and without harming at all the existing regulation,'' she said.

Debate on the bill was adjourned for later in the sitting year.