MEDIA RELEASE: Rudd clears way for ACT civil unions; Victoria should be first

MEDIA RELEASE: Rudd clears way for ACT civil unions; Victoria should be first
Civil Union Action! (CUA)
http://www.cuaction.org

Rudd clears way for ACT civil unions; Victoria should be first

For Immediate Release: 7 December 2007

Victorian human rights group, Civil Union Action! (CUA), has congratulated Prime Minister Kevin Rudd for declaring yesterday that he would not block attempts by the ACT Government to introduce legislation for civil unions. CUA says that Victoria now has nothing to fear from introducing similar legislation, and should be the first jurisdication to do so.

The Victorian Government announced it would introduce a bill to Parliament this week for a relationships register - without official ceremonies. CUA spokesperson John Kloprogge said a ceremony option is about equality and celebrating love.

"We congratulate Prime Minister Kevin Rudd for allowing the ACT to legislate for civil unions. By doing so, Mr Rudd has recognised that same-sex couples are not a threat to society, and their love should be celebrated like everyone else's," Mr Kloprogge said.

Mr Kloprogge said Victorian Premier John Brumby needn't worry about a legal clash with the Commonwealth if it decided to introduce civil unions.

"Mr Rudd's announcement indicates that State Governments now have no legal impediment to introducing civil union schemes. The only thing stopping the Brumby Government from allowing civil unions is itself."

Mr Kloprogge said Victoria is at a crossroads: it can either lead the nation or fall behind in its recognition of same-sex relationships.

"In 2003 Tasmania introduced the nation's first relationships register. And in 2006 the ACT announced its intention to introduce civil unions. Now, Victoria can be the first jurisdiction in the country to actually grant civil unions."

"Victorians deserve same-sex relationship laws that are truly second to none," Mr Kloprogge concluded.

Recommendations for the inclusion of official ceremonies were heard during public consultation on the relationships register in June 2007. The Victorian Gay and Lesbian Rights Lobby's 'Not Yet Equal' Survey 2005 also demonstrated substantial community support for a ceremony option.

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

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References:

'Not Yet Equal' Report of the VGLRL Same Sex Relationships Survey 2005
http://vglrl.org.au/files/VGLRL%202005%20-%20SSRS%20Report.pdf