Photos from Melbourne (16.06.06) and Canberra (19.06.06) rallies

Click here to view photos from the Civil Union Action (CUA) rally outside Liberal Party Headquarters on 16.06.06, to show opposition toward the Federal Government's override of the ACT Civil Unions Act. (All photos by Doug Pollard)

Click here to view photos from the Civil Union Defence Coalition (CUDC) rally outside the ACT Legislative Assembly on 19.06.06, to show opposition toward the Federal Government's override of the ACT Civil Unions Act. (All photos by Mary-Anne Cosgrove)

(Higher resolution pictures of the Melbourne rally are available. Email us.)

ACT Civil Unions override: Protests around the nation

Melbourne

Civil Union Action (CUA) held a highly successful protest yesterday outside Liberal Party Headquarters, condemning the Federal Government's override of ACT Civil Unions (see press release). More interstate protests are to follow - spread the word!

Canberra

What: March and rally
Where: from the ACT Legislative Assembly to Gerima Place
When: 12-2pm, Monday June 19th
Info: Mary-Ann Cosgrove on 0408 945 360

Sydney

What: Action
Where: Taylor Square, Darlinghurst, Sydney
When: 5pm, Monday June 19th
Info: Rachel Evans on 0403 798 420

MEDIA RELEASE: National rallies to oppose ACT Civil Unions override “a warning”

MEDIA RELEASE: National rallies to oppose ACT Civil Unions override “a warning”
Civil Union Action (CUA)
http://www.cuaction.org

National rallies to oppose ACT Civil Unions override “a warning”
Federal Government homophobia sparks mass anger

For Immediate Release: 19 June 2006

The newly-formed Civil Union Action (CUA) group in Melbourne has warned the Federal Government not to ignore the mass anger at their decision to quash landmark same-sex Civil Unions laws in the Australian Capital Territory last week, ahead of further protests planned today in Sydney and Canberra.

The Senate last Thursday upheld the Governor-General’s invalidation of the partnership scheme on Tuesday last week. The motion to disallow the Civil Unions ban failed 30 votes to 32. The vote also saw the first Liberal MP (ACT Senator Gary Humphries) to cross the floor and vote against their party in the entire 10 years of the Howard Government.

CUA held a rally of approximately 250 people outside Liberal Party Melbourne Headquarters last Friday night, 16 June. Despite cold weather and dark skies, many people turned out to send a strong message of opposition toward the Federal Government’s actions in overriding the ACT laws.

“The ban on Civil Unions in the ACT has nothing to do with legal conflicts, and everything to do with homophobia,” CUA spokesperson, John Kloprogge, told the rally.

CUA expects large numbers of gay and lesbian people, and their supporters, to attend today’s rallies in Sydney and Canberra.

“Civil Unions, quite distinct from marriage, are a moderate option. They allow loving same-sex couples to have their relationships recognised and protected by law,” Mr Kloprogge said.

“It would be remiss of the Federal Government to overlook the vast support such relationship recognition has in the broader Australian populace,” Mr Kloprogge added, referring to recent research† showing favourable attitudes towards same-sex unions.

***

Media contact:
John Kloprogge 0422 913 942 cuaction@hotmail.com

***

The Canberra march and rally is taking place from 12-2pm on Monday 19 June, travelling from the ACT Legislative Assembly to Gerima Place. For more information, contact Mary-Ann Cosgrove on 0408 945 360.

The Sydney action will be at 5pm on Monday 19 June, at Taylor Square, Darlinghurst. For more information, contact Rachel Evans on 0403 798 420.

To read the Civil Union Action (CUA) press release on the Melbourne protest of Friday 16 June, click here.

***

† References:
'Church and State', Newspoll Market Research, February 2006
http://www.secular.org.au/articles/ChurchStatePoll020206.pdf

Question: Do you agree/disagree the Federal Government should introduce a new law to formally recognise same-sex relationships in Australia?
52.5% Agree
36.6% Disagree
10.9% Neither/Don't Know

MEDIA RELEASE: Federal Government blasted as homophobic

MEDIA RELEASE
Civil Union Action (CUA)
http://www.cuaction.org

Federal Government blasted as homophobic
Protest against ACT Civil Union ban sends Government “strong message”

For Immediate Release: 16 June 2006

The newly-formed Civil Union Action (CUA) group in Melbourne held their first public demonstration today, sending a powerful message of disapproval of the Federal Government’s actions after it overrode same-sex Civil Union laws in the Australian Capital Territory.

The Senate yesterday upheld the Governor-General’s invalidation of the partnership scheme on Tuesday this week. The final Senate vote was extremely close, with the motion to disallow the Civil Unions ban failing 30 votes to 32. The debate also saw the first Liberal MP (ACT Senator Gary Humphries) to cross the floor and vote against their party in the entire 10 years of the Howard Government.

The rally, held outside Liberal Party Headquarters, was a resounding success. It attracted an unexpectedly large turnout of 250 people, despite cold weather, dark skies and spitting rain. Rally organisers had 3 days of preparation, following the formation of the group on Tuesday 13 June.

Civil Union Action speakers at the rally included Stephen Kress, Alison Thorne and John Kloprogge.

“This rally is directed fairly and squarely at the Federal Coalition Government,” said Mr Kloprogge.

“Same-sex love and commitment is equal in dignity and worth to heterosexual love, and deserves to be celebrated and affirmed by law and by society,” he added.

Ms Thorne observed, “This is the beginning of a mass popular movement to win relationship equality. This is what we need to convince politicians of every political stripe to support our cause”.

The rally attracted a diverse cross-section of the gay and lesbian community, with young and old, male and female, and many couples in relationships of 10 years or more. Many supportive heterosexual people rallied in solidarity. Handmade placards and rainbow flags were displayed.

Participants in the rally were encouraged to join an upcoming demonstration for same-sex relationship recognition on 13 August 2006, being organised by the “Equal Love” campaign group.

***

“Equal Love” is a campaign of the Victorian Gay and Lesbian Rights Lobby for same-sex relationship recognition: www.equallove.org.au

***

Media contact:
John Kloprogge 0422 913 942 cuaction@hotmail.com

Civil Unions Override Upheld in Senate: Snap Rally TODAY

UPDATE:

The ban on ACT's Civil Unions was upheld by the Senate at approximately 1.05pm yesterday.

The motion to disallow the override failed, 32 votes to 30.

ACT Liberal Senator Gary Humphries crossed the floor to oppose the Government line, while Family First Senator Steve Fielding backed the ban.

Civil Union Action is holding a snap action THIS FRIDAY, at the Liberal Party Headquarters, at 5.30pm.

Details:

WHAT: To show our opposition to the Federal Government's override of ACT's civil unions bill
WHERE: Liberal Party Headquarters, 104 Exhibition St, Melbourne
WHEN: Fri 16 June, 5.30pm
GET INVOLVED: call John 0422 913 942 or email cuaction@hotmail.com

Watch this space for further details.

MEDIA RELEASE: New Civil Union group in Melbourne will hold snap rally tomorrow

MEDIA RELEASE
Civil Union Action (CUA)
http://www.cuaction.org

New Civil Union group in Melbourne will hold snap rally tomorrow
Lobby disappointed with homophobic, undemocratic Senate decision

For Immediate Release: 15 June 2006

The newly-formed Civil Union Action (CUA) group in Melbourne has condemned Federal Government Senators for voting to maintain the override of the Australian Capital Territory's landmark same-sex Civil Unions Bill. CUA will hold a snap rally at Liberal Party Melbourne Headquarters this Friday 16 June to protest the decision.

"The actions of the Federal Government in overriding the civil unions legislation have nothing to do with legal conflicts, and everything to do with homophobia," said CUA spokesperson John Kloprogge.

Mr Kloprogge said that the ACT Government had amended the Civil Unions Bill several times to ensure it did not conflict with marriage laws. University of New South Wales Constitutional Law Professor agreed that the final bill did not offend Federal laws.

"An override of the territory's civil union laws would not have happened if the ACT was a State," Mr Kloprogge continued.

Mr Kloprogge said that the Federal Government's actions were "unprecedented", and amount to an attack on same-sex couples and democratic principles.

"This is only the second time territory legislation has been overturned by a Federal Government since territories were granted self-government in 1989," he said.

"But this is the first time a territory law has been quashed by the Commonwealth by Executive edict. This is an attack on the democratic rights of ACT citizens to govern their own affairs," he said.

"Legal recognition of same-sex unions is vital for providing proof of relationship, ensuring partnership rights such as superannuation, inheritance and hospital visitation, are recognised and widely available," Mr Kloprogge concluded.

***

The rally will be held at the Liberal Party Headquarters, 104 Exhibition St Melbourne, this Friday at 5:30pm.

***

Media contact:
John Kloprogge 0422 913 942 cuaction@hotmail.com

CUA in the news

"Civil Union Anger", Melbourne Star, 22 June 2006, Page 4:

'Liberal Party HQ in Exhibition Street last Friday, which drew a diverse crowd of more than 250, was only one of a series across Australia in what looks like a major surge of popular anger over the issue.

'Rally organisers had threedays of preparation, following the formation of the group on Tuesday, June 13.

' "Same-sex love and commitment is equal in dignity and worth to heterosexual love,
and deserves to be celebrated and affirmed by law and by society," said John Kloprogge from Civil Unions Action.

'Alison Thorne from Socialist Alliance observed, "This is the beginning of a mass
popular movement to win relationship equality. This is what we need to convince
politicians of every political stripe to support our cause".'

"Protests gather momentum across Australia", SX News, 22 June 2006:

'The headquarters of the Victorian Liberal Party was the site of a protest on Friday night.

'Long-time activist Alison Thorne, independent MP Andrew Olexander, and John Kloprogge from newly formed group Civil Union Action, addressed the rally, which attracted over 200 people.

'Olexander, who intends to introduce his own civil unions bill to the Victorian parliament shortly, told the crowd: "Every human being in this society deserves dignity, respect and recognition. As the only openly gay Victorian MP, I will continue to stand with you for those rights." '

"Civil Disobedience", Melbourne Community Voice, 21 Jun 2006, Page 3:

' "The Government’s move to ride roughshod over the ACT civil unions scheme is the worst attack on gay and lesbian rights since the marriage ban of 2004," (Civil Union Action spokesperson, John) Kloprogge said on Friday. "[It] has nothing to do with legal conflicts, and everything to do with homophobia." '

"Handy Andy", The Age, 21 June 2006:

'MP Andy Olexander was among 300 protesters outside the party's Exhibition Street HQ last Friday decrying Johnny Howard's stance on ACT civil unions.'

"Gay groups speak out against ACT ban", The Pink Broad, 20 June 2006:

'Gay rights groups across Australia have angrily condemned the Howard government’s over-riding of the ACT’s Civil Unions Act with organised protest activities taking place within 24 hours of the Senate’s decision to allow the over-ruling.

'In Melbourne, the newly-formed Civil Union Action (CUA) held a public demonstration outside the Liberal Party headquarters last Friday 16 June, which attracted approximately 250 people, despite inclement weather.

' "This rally is directed fairly and squarely at the federal Coalition government," organiser and speaker John Kloprogge said. "Same sex love and commitment is equal in dignity and worth to heterosexual love and deserves to be celebrated and affirmed by law and by society."

'Fellow organiser Alison Thorne said; "This is the beginning of a mass popular movement to win relationship equality. This is what we need to convince politicians of every political stripe to support our cause."

'The rally attracted a diverse cross-section of the gay and lesbian community, with young and old, male and female, and many couples in relationships of 10 years or more. Many supportive heterosexual people rallied in solidarity. Handmade placards and rainbow flags were displayed.'

"Crossing floor not enough to save same-sex rights" (not online), The Canberra Times, 16 June 2006, Page 4:

'... A New Civil Union group will rally at Liberal Party headquarters in Melbourne today against what spokesman John Kloprogge described as the Senate's homophobic, undemocratic decision. ...'

"Bid to block Civil Unions veto fails", Sydney Star Observer, 15 June 2006:

'... Newly formed Melbourne lobby group Civil Union Action will hold a protest outside Liberal Party headquarters in the Victorian capital tomorrow to protest the Senate decision.

' "The actions of the federal government in overriding the civil unions legislation has nothing to do with legal conflicts, and everything to do with homophobia," Civil Union Action spokesperson John Kloprogge said. ...'

Email your Premier

Personal emails help MPs determine how much community support exists for a certain issue.

You can write a letter of your own or use the sample letter below, and email it to one of the email addresses listed below.

***
Example only:

Hon Premier John Brumby MLA
Department of Premier and Cabinet
1 Treasury Place
Melbourne VIC 3002

via email: john.brumby [@] parliament.vic.gov.au

[date]

Dear Mr Premier,

Same-sex relationships are equal in love and commitment to different-sex relationships.

I support the right of same-sex couples to have their relationships formally recognised under state law.

Will you introduce a civil union scheme for same-sex couples?

I look forward to your response.

Yours sincerely,

[your name, address, etc.]

***

PREMIERS:

NSW:
Premier Morris Iemma
thepremier [@] www.nsw.gov.au
or Find your local member

VIC:
Premier John Brumby
john.brumby [@] parliament.vic.gov.au
or Find your local member

Qld:
Premier Anna Bligh
thepremier [@] premiers.qld.gov.au
or Find your local member

SA:
Premier Mike Rann
premier [@] saugov.sa.gov.au
or Find your local member

WA:
Premier Alan Carpenter
wa-government [@] dpc.wa.gov.au
or Find your local member

Tas:
Premier Paul Lennon
premier [@] dpac.tas.gov.au
or Find your local member

CHIEF MINISTERS:

ACT:
Chief Minister Jon Stanhope
stanhope [@] act.gov.au
or Find your local member

NT:
Chief Minister Paul Henderson
webmanager.dcm [@] nt.gov.au
or Find your local member

FEDERAL GOVERNMENT:

Prime Minister Kevin Rudd
http://www.pm.gov.au/contact/

Attorney General Robert McClelland
attorney [@] ag.gov.au

Or Find your local member

Contact Civil Union Action!

Contact Civil Union Action! (CUA):

Media contact:
John Kloprogge 0422 913 942

For all other enquiries:
Email us

Why Civil Unions?

Six reasons to support civil unions in Australia:

1. Social recognition

Same-sex relationships are equal in love and commitment to different-sex couples, but are not formally recognised under federal law or most state law. Legal certification for loving couples would support and affirm their relationships, and strong relationships mean a strong society.

2. Legal security

Civil unions give same-sex couples the legal recognition they need to be guaranteed their rights in areas such as inheritance, hospital visitation and custody of their own children. Currently, same-sex couples can be denied these basic partnership rights, causing much fear and uncertainty.

3. Middle option

Civil unions are a middle option, which surveys show will be embraced by the wider community. Civil unions are not marriages: the two are legally distinct. Civil unions do not threaten other people's marriages.

4. Popular support

A recent Newspoll suggested 52.2% of Australians support formal recognition of same-sex relationships, and this figure is growing. Australia has always prided herself on the "fair go": equality and fairness for all.

5. State jurisdiction

State governments can introduce laws for civil unions, without needing the approval of the Federal Government. The Federal Government, under s 51 of the Constitution, may only override state laws that claim to be "marriage" (unless the jurisdiction in question is a territory in which case the Commonwealth can override any of their laws. Such a move, however, will often infringe the democratic wishes of territorians).

6. Civil unions worldwide

Civil unions exist in about 30 regions around the world, including New Zealand, the UK, most of Europe, several US states and parts of South America. Same-sex marriage laws exist in the Netherlands, Belgium, Canada, Spain, South Africa and Massachusetts (US).