Australia's marriage equality advocates have welcomed a NSW Government proposal to establish a relationship register modelled on existing civil partnership schemes in Tasmania, Victoria and the ACT.
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Australian Marriage Equality national secretary, Peter Furness, said the NSW scheme will benefit couples who do not wish to marry but is no substitute for same-sex marriage.
"State civil partnership schemes benefit unmarried partners by providing them with official recognition and a way to prove their relationship status if required", Mr Furness said.
"They are ideal for couples seeking legal recognition who have no desire to marry."
"But they are not a substitute for same-sex marriage because they do not provide full legal equality for same-sex couples, or the social and cultural recognition that is associated with marriage."
"We believe loving, committed opposite and same-sex couples should have a choice about how their relationships are recognised and entitled."
"This means partnership registries for those who do not wish to marry and equality in marriage for those who do."
Mr Furness went on to say that the distinction drawn by the NSW Government between relationship registers and civil union schemes has no legal basis and is false.
"Our existing state and territory schemes provide legal rights and ceremonial recognition that is the same or greater than civil union schemes overseas."
"This is why in other countries Australia's schemes are regarded as fully-fledged civil union schemes."
"Relationship registers, civil partnership schemes and civil union schemes are different terms for the same thing."