The ACT Legislative Assembly yesterday passed the Civil
Partnerships Act 2008 establishing Australia's third civil union
scheme, after Tasmania and Victoria.
The text of a media statement released by ACT Attorney-General Simon Corbell MLA appears below.
For more information on civil unions in the ACT: www.rgo.act.gov.au/bdm/bdm_civil.html
MEDIA RELEASE
SAME-SEX PARTNERSHIPS IN THE ACT
The ACT Government’s civil partnerships bill will be debated and is expected to be passed in a late night sitting, Attorney General Simon Corbell said today.
“Gay and lesbian couples in the ACT will be able to affirm their commitment to each other before friends and families and gain legal recognition of their partnership,” Mr Corbell said.
“By legally formalising their relationships and unequivocally demonstrating their legal status, same-sex couples will also ensure their access to Commonwealth superannuation, taxation and social security law reforms.”
Mr Corbell again expressed deep disappointment with Federal Government moves to block the ACT Government from providing civil union ceremonies.
“Despite attempts by the ACT Government to work with the Federal Government, they refused to offer any compromise,” he said. “This directly contradicted the Prime Minister’s commitment in December last year to not interfere in the democratic processes of Australia’s states and territories.
“The ACT condemns in the strongest possible terms the Federal Government’s decision to resort to the use of an undemocratic nineteenth century colonial-style power to override legislation which has the clear support of a majority of the democratically elected ACT Legislative Assembly.
“The ACT Government maintains that gay and lesbian couples should have the opportunity to publically affirm their relationship and commitment to each other through a public ceremony.
“We will also move to legislate for a scheme which extends registration to caring relationships through a separate act following consultation with carers groups and other stakeholders following a request by the Federal Government.
“Administrative ceremonies will be conducted by the Registrar General or her delegates,” Mr Corbell said. “These ceremonies will have no legal status but will provide couples with the opportunity to publically reaffirm their written declaration of commitment.
“It is expected that the first civil partnership registrations will be accepted from May 19 and the first ceremonies will be able to be conducted by May 24 this year.”
Statement Ends/ 8 May 2008