How such a scheme would effect the operation of federal laws, such as income tax and medicare, was not announced.
The amendment to the human rights chapter of Labor's platform was backed by the Shadow Attorney-General, Joe Ludwig, who insisted the scheme would not amount to endorsing same-sex marriage.
"The amendment specifically says no to gay marriage," Senator Ludwig said.
Despite this, the amendment generated heated debate as opponents from Labor's Catholic Right were heckled as they spoke passionately against the scheme.
The NSW Attorney-General, John Hatzistergos, told the conference the NSW Government would not introduce such a scheme and would await the outcome of a Law Reform Commission inquiry into discrimination against same-sex couples before developing any policy.
The national secretary of the Shop, Distributive and Allied Employees Association, Joe de Bruyn, said the Tasmanian scheme gave same-sex couples the same status as married couples, which would demean and undermine marriage.
"It robs marriage of its unique and privileged status and it puts it on the same level as a radically different type of union," Mr de Bruyn said.
He said the policy would be poorly received in suburban Australia and would make it harder for the Opposition Leader, Kevin Rudd, to win the 16 seats needed to defeat the Howard Government.
His comments generated loud calls of "shame" and "rubbish" from delegates on the floor.
The policy drew a luke-warm response from gay rights activists.
Convener of lobby group Australian Marriage Equality, Sharon Dane, said that registration for same-sex relationships was of value for couples seeking certain legal rights, but provided little consolation for those seeking to marry or formally celebrate their relationships.
"The creation of a state-based system for the recognition of our relationships will not grant us legal equality. It further entrenches discrimination under Australian law."
"Labor is mistaken in thinking that this debate is solely about taxation or superannuation, etc, important as those things are. This is about fairness, decency and respect for gay and lesbian Australians and their families", said Ms Dane.
Spokesperson for the Tasmanian Gay and Lesbian Rights group, Rodney Croome said he was pleased with Labor's policy shift.
"This is an important step forward because it's the first time that the federal ALP has indicated support for the formal recognition of same-sex relationships and of course it's a big thumbs-up for Tasmania, which has had a scheme like this in place since 2004," he said
Mr Croome, however, was disappointed the motion reaffirmed Labor's opposition to equal marriage.
"It won't be strong enough to woo all gay voters because of course there's still a very strong message in here against same-sex marriage and that will be a big turn-off for quite a few gay and lesbian voters," he said.
The New ALP
Policy:
Labor will
ensure that all
couples who have
a mutual
commitment to a
shared life do
not suffer
discrimination
because they are
not married.
Labor will take action to ensure the development of nationally consistent, state-based relationship recognition legislation that will include the opportunity for couples who have a mutual commitment to a shared life to have those relationships registered and certified.
This legislation will:
- be based on the scheme that has existed in Tasmania since 2004 and that the Victorian Government has announced its intention to introduce;
- not create schemes that mimic marriage or undermine existing laws that define marriage as being between a man and a woman.