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After announcing that over 100 laws that discriminate against same-sex couples would be reformed, the Labor government has called on states to institute same-sex relationship registries, similar to those in place in Tasmiania and Victoria. These registries would give same-sex couples the option of registering their relationship with the government for an added level of legal recognition.
WA State Attorney General Jim McGinty, while not opposed to the introduction of a same-sex registry in Western Australia, has raised concerns of possible discrimination that may arise from implementing one.
‘I am not opposed to having a register for same sex couples,’ Mr McGinty said, ‘but I am concerned that it could inadvertently cause discrimination in situations where couples who do not register have the legitimacy of their relationship called into question.
‘Western Australia’s same sex and de facto couple laws are among the strongest in the nation and prevent discrimination in matters such as transfer of property, dependant spouse rebate, compensation schemes, health legislation and inheritance.’
Damian Douglas-Meyer, spokesman for Gay And Lesbian Equality WA, agreed with Mr McGinty that de facto laws in WA are some of the best in the country, but disagreed that a registry would create more discrimination.
‘I don’t understand how someone could make the argument that you lose rights by adding this registry,’ Mr Douglas-Meyer told OUTinPerth. ‘De facto still covers people, but if you have this register then you get the piece of paper that you can wave in front of people. It provides an extra level of proof.’
The proof provided by a formal civil union registry would assist same-sex couples, especially interstate and international couples, in having their relationship recognised in WA.
‘If someone has been registered in the Victorian registry or the Tasmania registry or has a UK civil partnership, you can add a clause to the registry saying that the following registrations shall be automatically considered to be registered in WA,’ said Mr Douglas-Meyer.
