Kevin Won't Stop Civil Unions

Local News, By Christian Taylor, 7th December, 2007

Kevin really is sticking to his word when he promised to be a Prime Minister for all Australians. The ACT is trying for a third time to get civil unions over the line in the state, and it looks like Kevin isn’t going to stop them.

According to the Herald Sun, Rudd believes that these matters are best left to states and territories to decide upon.

“On these matters, state and territories are answerable to their own jurisdictions,’’ said Mr Rudd. “State and territory governments are elected to govern, they are accountable to their constituents.’’

Couples in the ACT, as well as those who wish to travel there, could be enjoying civil unions as soon as February or March next year. That’s pretty big news. It’s amazing how quickly things can change.

Gay rights advocates have praised Kevin for his forward thinking. Rodney Croome from the Australian Coalition For Equality said that his decision shows that he’s committed to legal equality and human rights.

“The Prime Minister’s announcement is important for many reasons, not least because it shows that Australia is mature enough to officially and publicly bestow its blessing on loving, committed same-sex partners through a relationship ceremony”, Mr Croome said.

“It also means same-sex couples in the ACT will soon have the equal rights they have fought so long for.”

Mr Croome said a relationship registry which has operated in Tasmania since 2004 and has just been proposed for Victoria has the same legal effect as the proposed ACT scheme, allowing same-sex and other partners to enter a new legal relationship and acquire the same rights as a married couple in local law.

“All along, the sticking point has the been the ACT’s proposal for official ceremonies, compared to the paper process for legal recognition which prevails in Tasmania.”

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