GLBT activists have raised concerns over the Rudd Government’s attempts to override proposed changes to the ACT’s civil union law.
The Greens, who hold the balance of power in the ACT, have announced plans to amend the state’s civil union legislation to allow for official statutory ceremonies, however the Federal Government argues this will make the unions too ‘marriage-like’.
The ACT’s Civil Partnership Act currently includes provision for an administrative ceremony in which the parties involved are required to provide a statutory declaration and evidence that they are in an existing relationship.
A statutory ceremony however, does not require the parties to know each other and is focused on the creation of a relationship.
‘Its prejudice pure and simple,’ says Corey Irlam, spokesperson for the Australian Coalition for Equality.
‘Same-sex couples should have the same options to create and celebrate their relationships as opposite sex couples.
‘By not allowing same-sex couples to marry and threatening to override any move by a territory that is deemed to be too marriage-like, the Federal Government is continuing to say same-sex couples are second class citizens.’
ALP policy on civil unions is that it is a matter to be dealt with by the states, leaving many to question why the Federal Government would be trying to interfere in the ACT’s legislation.
‘They’re having their cake and eating it too by saying that “you have to have this type of scheme but we won’t do oneâ€,’ said Mr Irlam.
‘Yes there are constitutional issues with a federal government doing it because there is no provision in the constitution to say that the federal government can necessarily create a civil unions scheme, but that doesn’t mean that they should dictate how a state or territory does do it.’
More than 70 ACT couples have registered themselves under the civil partnership laws since they were introduced last year.
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