MEDIA RELEASE: Council gay registry sends Bracks a message

MEDIA RELEASE: Council gay registry sends Bracks a message
Civil Union Action! (CUA)
http://www.cuaction.org

For immediate release: 20 November 2006

Victorian human rights group, Civil Union Action! (CUA), has welcomed Melbourne City Council's pledge to set up a relationship registry for same-sex couples, noting that the council acted because the State Government had failed to do so.

"The Melbourne City Council has decided to recognise same-sex relationships because the Bracks Government will not," CUA spokesperson John Kloprogge said.

Mr Kloprogge said the council's scheme would provide evidence of a relationship, but could not fix discrimination at the state level.

"Same-sex couples will benefit from the legal and social support a council register can provide, but discrimination will remain until the State Government introduces a scheme of their own," Mr Kloprogge said.

"Same-sex couples shouldn't have to wait until all 79 local councils set up a relationship register, which can only afford them limited rights anyway."

"The best way forward is for the Bracks Government to introduce a statewide civil union scheme - one which guarantees same-sex couples equal treatment to married couples under Victorian law."

"Same-sex partners who are committed to each other want to know whether the Bracks Government is committed to them," 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

MEDIA RELEASE: Commit to civil unions, Bracks urged

MEDIA RELEASE: Commit to civil unions, Bracks urged
Civil Union Action! (CUA)
http://www.cuaction.org

For immediate release: 13 November 2006

Victorian human rights group, Civil Union Action! (CUA), has called on the Bracks Government to commit to formal partnership laws for same-sex couples in advance of the state election.

At an election forum on Saturday, State Labor MP for Prahran, Tony Lupton, said there have been discussions between gay community representatives and the Government about a Tasmanian-style relationship registry.

But Civil Union Action spokesperson, John Kloprogge, said same-sex couples deserve to know if the Government takes their aspirations for legal equality seriously enough to make a pre-election commitment on the issue.

"Same-sex partners who are committed to each other want to know whether the Bracks Government is committed to them", Mr Kloprogge said.

"We welcome the consideration given by Labor MPs to registration schemes, but same-sex couples want a commitment from the Government."

"Same-sex couples want laws to formalise and affirm their relationships, and which grant them all the rights enjoyed by married couples under Victorian law," Mr Kloprogge continued.

Mr Kloprogge said Premier Steve Bracks had a clear choice to make, but warned that same-sex couples would not accept inaction.

"Mr Bracks is now in a position where he can say 'yes' or 'no' to laws that meet these requirements. But remaining silent and promising nothing is not an option," 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