Last week, the Australian Capital Territory was dealt a severe blow when the federal government halted the territory’s plan for civil unions, threatening to veto it. Without much wiggle room left, the ACT legislature instead passed a law allowing for the registration of same-sex couples, without the ceremony.
The ACT becomes the third of eight Australian states and territories to recognise same-sex partnerships.
In 2004, under former Prime Minister John Howard, federal legislation banning same-sex marriage was passed. Some had hoped that the defeat of Mr Howard and the Liberals in November 2007 and the election of a new Labour government might move the debate about gay marriage forward. The new Labour government, led by PM Kevin Rudd, has moved forward with eliminating discriminatory legislation, but maintains that marriage is only between a man and a woman.
“It’s playing to the politics of the extreme right religious lobby here in Australia represented by the Australian Christian lobby,” ACT Attorney General Corbell told The Associated Press.
Source: PinkNews
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1 response so far ↓
1 Charlotte // May 10, 2008 at 6:52 am
Marriage is a basic civil right that should be attainable by all citizens if they choose. I know this is a step in the right direction but it still establishes a new LGBT breed of 2nd class citizens. For the truth about gay marriage check out our trailer. Produced to educate & defuse the controversy it has a way of opening closed minds & provides some sanity on the issue: http://www.OUTTAKEonline.com
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