Tamilarasan is a citizen of the United Kingdom, and as such, she was able to legally unite with her partner at the British consulate in Sydney.

"I think sometimes people don't recognize that the emotion that you feel for this other person in your life is just as real; just as heartfelt; as the love between a man and a woman," says Collier. "And it's wonderful to be able to have this recognized."

"I've always wanted the opportunity to declare my lifelong commitment to Lesley in front of those people who are most important to you," says Tamilarasan, "and I think, for me, that's very much what the day is about."

"The financial and the legal aspects are a nice bonus," she adds.

Aggi van de Bosch and and Marga van de Reyt, together for over 20 years, are both Australian citizens, and therefore have no avenue to be recognized as a couple.

"That brings it home, I guess," says van de Bosch, "that Lesley and Madhu, my friends, are able to legitimize their union in this way in Australia, albeit on British ground, whilst we're still, I feel, very backward in that regard."

"I think it's just such a pity," adds van de Reyt. "Here's this great potential for the Rudd government to tap into these wonderful relationships, of which there must be hundreds of thousands..."

With Prime Minister Kevin Rudd taking office, the hope is that the capitol can set the precedent for recognizing same-sex relationships in Australia, a move that was blocked by the government under PM Howard in 2006. Rudd has since publicly spoken out in favor of retaining the current "man-and-woman" definition of marriage, maintaining a federal-level opposition to offering benefits, or recognition, to same-sex spouses.

"We don't want in any way to demean, or be disrespectful to, the institution of marriage," says ACT Chief Minister Jon Stanhope. "We simply want to allow the possibility for gay and lesbian people within our community to be accorded the same level of respect, and dignity, and recognition before the law; and protection under the law; as heterosexual couples and all other citizens."

The entire report, broadcast on Australian Broadcasting Corporation's Lateline on February 20, 2008, is available to view below.