Civil unions to start in Queensland next month
Same-sex couples will be able to enter in civil unions from early next month in Queensland, with the state Labor government keen to ensure that the scheme is in place before the next election to be held in late March which the Liberal National Party (LNP) is tipped to win.
The Civil Partnership Act will commence on February 23, with the first ceremonies able to take place on March 5 following a ten day waiting period.
Deputy Premier Andrew Fraser (pictured) said in a statement that the scheme underlined Queensland’s position as a “modern, progressive state”.
“I know that for many people this day has been a long time coming,” Fraser said.
“While it isn’t marriage, it is the next best thing and as far as a state government can go in promoting relationship equality.”
Attorney General Paul Lucas said the new legislation would allow any couple, regardless of their sex or sexual orientation, to lodge paperwork with Queensland's Registry of Births, Deaths and Marriages (BDM) for a civil union to recognise their relationship.
“This legislation removes the artificial and arbitrary barriers to same-sex couples having their relationship formally and legally recognised,” Lucas said.
“I expect many couples to use the progressive laws to see their relationship recognised either through registration or a formal ceremony and I congratulate them in advance.”
It still remains unclear however whether LNP Leader Campbell Newman will abide by his promise to not repeal the legislation if any civil union ceremonies had taken place prior to the election, which has been called for March 24.
“Campbell Newman promised that if any ceremonies had taken place prior to the election, then any future LNP Government would not repeal the legislation.
“His Justice spokesman has contradicted him, again saying an LNP Government would tear up the laws,” Fraser said.
“There are thousands of Queenslanders to whom these laws mean so much. The whole state will hold Mr Newman to account and see if he stands by his word.”
A Change.org petition set up by Brisbane-based equal rights advocate, Phil Browne, calling on Newman to not repeal the law has gained over 1,000 signatures.
Newman, a declared supporter of same-sex marriage, has previously called the civil unions legislation a “stunt” and a “distraction” from more important matters.
For more information on the Civil Partnerships Act, visit http://www.justice.qld.gov.au/justice-services/births-deaths-and-marriages/civil-partnerships
- Tags: Andrew Fraser, Campbell Newman, Civil Unions, Labor, LNP, Marriage Equality, Paul Lucas, Politics, Queensland, SX
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Serkan Ozturk
Serkan Ozturk became a journalist after failing as a minor poet. Known amongst some circles as the ‘Van Wilder of the High Arts’ it took Serkan almost a decade of studying at three of Sydney’s major universities before finally attaining a single, much vaunted Communication degree from that bastion of Brutalist architecture – the University of Technology, Sydney.
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Comments (1)
Click here to sign the petition not to repeal Qld Civil Unions http://www.change.org/petitions/leader-of-the-qld-liberal-national-party-please-do-not-repeal-the-qld-civil-partnership-act