In what appears to be a turn around on the issue of civil unions in the ACT, the Rudd government has made it clear they will not accept the Bill in its current form.
Last week The Australian reported that Attorney-General Robert McClelland said the government “would not allow civil unions”, and reiterated Labor’s preference of a state based relationships register.
Kevin Rudd has always maintained his view that he would not support civil unions, but before last year’s election the ACT’s Attorney-General Simon Corbell was assured that the Rudd government would allow the territory to legislate as it saw fit. There was also direct comment from the Prime Minister on December 6 on the matter:
“The question of legislation of the type you speak, it’s always been our view as the Labor Party that that lies properly within the prerogative of the states, and that remains our position,” he told the ABC.
Corbell told The Australian that the ACT would try to abolish powers in the ACT Self-Government Act that allow the Commonwealth to override territory law, calling them “archaic and undemocratic”.
The Civil Partnerships Bill will allow same-sex couples to not only register their relationship but to include an official ceremony, and the federal government is concerned the ceremonial aspect mimics marriage.
A spokeswoman for Corbell, told SX: “Basically we have introduced the Bill in the Legislative Assembly and the ACT and federal governments are still in negotiations over the language of the Bill.”
At the same time Rudd assured the ACT he would not interfere, he also made a commitment to the Australian Christian Lobby that he did not support civil unions.
Tasmanian Gay Activist Rodney Croome said he is not surprised by the federal government’s response given their specific remarks about their opposition to civil unions.
“I would say there is a 50-plus per cent chance of the government overriding the ACT’s Bill if it is introduced as it is,” he said.
Digg it: source : at Gay mens blog, beauty, art, and freedom of gay expression.
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