MEDIA RELEASE: Family First launches anti-gay campaign

MEDIA RELEASE: Family First launches anti-gay campaign
Civil Union Action! (CUA)
http://www.cuaction.org

Family First launches anti-gay campaign
Policies will hurt children, families

For Immediate Release: 31 October 2006

The Victorian human rights group, Civil Union Action! (CUA), has condemned the Victorian Family First Party over their opposition to civil unions and suicide prevention programs for same-sex-attracted youth.

Launching the party's election campaign on Sunday, Victorian Family First senator Steve Fielding called such proposals "crazy" and "anti-family", and said they would undermine marriage.

"Mr Fielding should explain how the recognition of committed same-sex relationships can possibly hurt other people's marriages and families," CUA spokesperson John Kloprogge said.

"And he should explain how opposing suicide prevention programs can possibly be good for children."

Family First also called for mainstream family values to be taught in schools.

"Family First want children to be taught values such as 'respect' in schools, but their anti-gay policies prove they have failed their own tests."

"Same-sex couples should be given the same respect and support as all other couples, and the best way to do this in Victoria is through a civil union scheme."

The party justified their opposition to civil unions by claiming only married heterosexual couples could provide a suitable environment in which to raise children.

"The children of same-sex couples deserve the legal security and social support a civil union scheme would provide. If Family First are against such proposals, clearly they're not putting the interests of children 'first'."

"Same-sex couples are raising families and they enjoy the responsibilities of being parents. It is only fair that they be given the corresponding rights, for their children's sake."

CUA vows to publicly campaign on civil unions right up until the November 25 state election.

***

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

***

Reference:
'Family First attack Greens' policies'
http://www.theage.com.au/news/National/Family-First-
attack-Greens-policies/2006/10/29/1162056860601.html

MEDIA RELEASE: ACT pledge 'a challenge' to Bracks' civil union stance

MEDIA RELEASE: ACT pledge 'a challenge' to Bracks' civil union stance
Civil Union Action! (CUA)
http://www.cuaction.org

ACT pledge 'a challenge' to Bracks’ civil union stance
Vic Govt urged to recognise same-sex couples

For Immediate Release: 20 October 2006

The Victorian human rights group, Civil Union Action! (CUA), has praised the Australian Capital Territory Government's commitment to reintroduce a slightly modified version of the recently overturned Civil Unions Act 2006, and has urged the Bracks Government to follow their lead.

The ACT Attorney-General Simon Corbell today told the Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission's 'Same-Sex: Same Entitlements' inquiry that there are "no grounds" not to formally recognise same-sex relationships.

"Mr Corbell's promise to reintroduce civil unions shows that the ACT Government wants to treat same-sex couples with the respect and recognition other couples take for granted," CUA spokesperson John Kloprogge said.

"Meanwhile, the Bracks Government has ruled out civil unions, and has not committed to consult with the gay and lesbian community on the best way forward."

"Mr Corbell has rightly said that there are 'no grounds' for denying same-sex couples formal recognition. What, then, is Mr Bracks' excuse?"

"Premier Bracks should take a leaf out of Mr Stanhope's book, and commit to introducing civil unions in the next term."

"Civil unions would provide social equality, legal security and basic respect to same-sex couples in Victoria," Mr Kloprogge concluded.

CUA vows to publicly campaign on civil unions right up until the November 25 state election.

***

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

***

Reference:
'ACT revising same sex relationships law'
http://www.abc.net.au/news/items/200610/1769820.htm?act

MEDIA RELEASE: Young Nationals show the way on civil unions

MEDIA RELEASE: Young Nationals show the way on civil unions
Civil Union Action! (CUA)
http://www.cuaction.org

Young Nationals show the way on civil unions
Vic National Party out of step

For Immediate Release: 13 October 2006

The Melbourne-based human rights group, Civil Union Action! (CUA), has urged the Victorian National Party to follow the lead of their federal youth division, as the Young Nationals voted to support civil unions at their federal council meeting in Canberra this week.

"The Young Nationals have shown the way on civil unions, and it is time the Victorian National Party caught up," CUA spokesperson John Kloprogge said.

Victorian Nationals leader Peter Ryan MLA has declared his opposition to civil unions.

"The Young Nationals acknowledge the need to recognise and respect same-sex relationships, but their parliamentary counterparts are stuck in the past," Mr Kloprogge said.

"There is widespread support across the state for formally recognising same-sex couples, and such support will only increase," added Mr Kloprogge.

"We encourage the Victorian Nationals to commit to introducing civil unions if elected to Government next month," Mr Kloprogge concluded.

CUA vows to publicly campaign on civil unions right up until the November 25 state election.

***

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

***

Reference:
'Young Nationals back gay unions'
http://www.abc.net.au/news/newsitems/200610/s1764438.htm

Same-sex couples protest Bracks' civil unions rebuff

Following Premier Steve Bracks' rejection of civil unions on 3 October, Civil Union Action! (CUA) held a demonstration outside ALP state headquarters.

The demo was held on Friday 6 October.

The photo above was taken before the protest.

MEDIA RELEASE: CUA welcomes Greens LGBTI policy

MEDIA RELEASE: CUA welcomes Greens LGBTI policy
Civil Union Action! (CUA)
http://www.cuaction.org

CUA welcomes Greens LGBTI policy
First party so far to unveil civil unions platform

For Immediate Release: 5 October 2006

The independent Melbourne-based human rights group, Civil Union Action! (CUA), has welcomed the unveiling today of the Greens policy on LGBTI issues, which includes a commitment to civil unions or a relationship registry.

The policy statement, released by Greens candidate for the Southern Metropolitan Region and GLBTI spokesperson, Sue Pennicuik, commits to "establishing a civil union scheme and/or formal registry of relationships that recognizes, affirms and celebrates same-sex and all significant personal relationships."

"All candidates and political parties must be judged according to how their stated policies support same-sex couples," CUA spokesperson John Kloprogge said.

"We warmly welcome the Greens' policy position, and we congratulate them on their efforts," said Mr Kloprogge.

CUA hoped the Greens policy on civil unions & relationship registration would encourage other parties to commit to formal partnership laws.

"The Greens are the first party so far to have unveilled a clear policy platform which includes formal partnership laws," said Mr Kloprogge, "but we certainly hope it is not the last."

CUA vows to publicly campaign on civil unions right up until the November 25 state election.

***

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

MEDIA RELEASE: Bracks rules out civil unions + Snap Action

MEDIA RELEASE: Bracks rules out civil unions + Snap Action
Civil Union Action (CUA)
http://www.cuaction.org

Bracks rules out civil unions
Snap action to protest discrimination

For Immediate Release: 4 October 2006

The Melbourne-based human rights group, Civil Union Action! (CUA), will hold a protest this Friday to denounce comments by Premier Steve Bracks yesterday confirming that the Government is opposed to civil unions for same-sex couples.

Responding to a question from Nationals leader Peter Ryan, Mr Bracks told Parliament, "Whilst we do not support legislation for civil unions, we do support removing discrimination."

The comments came as the Government explicitly ruled out a debate on Independent Andrew Olexander's Civil Unions Bill before the election.

"The Premier's comments reveal an unwillingness to support equal rights for same-sex couples," CUA spokesperson Mr Kloprogge said.

"It's deeply disappointing that the Government thinks certain couples deserve respect and recognition, and others should be excluded and ignored," Mr Kloprogge said.

Mr Kloprogge also said the Premier got it wrong on Victoria's record of gay law reform.

"Mr Bracks says Victorian law is 'second to none' in Australia for supporting same-sex couples. In truth, the ACT and Tasmania have surpassed us in recent years by introducing some form of civil unions," Mr Kloprogge said.

CUA will hold a protest this Friday at ALP state headquarters.

"Same-sex couples will show Mr Bracks what real love looks like," concluded Mr Kloprogge.

***

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

***

Details of protest:

WHAT: A demo to protest the civil unions decision
WHERE: ALP Headquarters, 360 King Street, West Melbourne (Near Flagstaff Station)
WHEN: Friday 6 October @ 5.30pm

***

References:
Hansard, 3.10.06: http://tinyurl.co.uk/4iv7