MEDIA RELEASE: Bracks' inaction forces Council to act

MEDIA RELEASE: Bracks' inaction forces Council to act
Civil Union Action! (CUA)
http://www.cuaction.org

For immediate release: 20 February 2007

Victorian human rights group, Civil Union Action! (CUA), is urging the Bracks State Government to introduce civil unions for same-sex couples, after Melbourne City councillor Fraser Brindley's "frustration" led him to champion a council-based scheme.

"Melbourne City Council (MCC) is clearly losing patience with the Bracks Government over their failure to introduce same-sex civil unions, but it is couples who are most frustrated," CUA spokesperson John Kloprogge said.

Cr Brindley told The Age newspaper (20.02.07) the MCC's plan is a response to State Government inaction on the issue, and called the lack of formal recognition by State and Federal Governments "an injustice".

The MCC's proposal would provide same-sex couples with evidence of a relationship. A discussion model for the register was released last week.

"The council plan - while positive and most welcome - can only provide same-sex couples with limited benefits. It's up to the State Government to introduce a statewide scheme that puts same-sex couples on an equal footing to other couples," Mr Kloprogge added.

"Same-sex couples and their families deserve the social recognition and legal support that civil unions can provide," Mr Kloprogge concluded.

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

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References:
'Same sex and the city', The Age, 20.02.07
http://www.theage.com.au/news/in-depth/same-sex-and-
the-city/2007/02/19/1171733679309.html

MEDIA RELEASE: Civil union ban may backfire for Govt

MEDIA RELEASE: Civil union ban may backfire for Govt
Civil Union Action! (CUA)
http://www.cuaction.org

For immediate release: 12 February 2007

Victorian human rights group, Civil Union Action! (CUA), has condemned the Federal Attorney-General's pledge to overturn, for the second time, the Australian Capital Territory's proposal for a civil union scheme for same-sex couples, but warned that the move may backfire for the Government.

The Federal Government overturned the original bill in June 2006, saying significant changes were needed. Despite a number of amendments by the ACT Government, Attorney-General Philip Ruddock announced that the Commonwealth would again overturn the proposal.

Mr Ruddock claimed that the ACT's proposal would threaten children and the institution of marriage, and would open the door to bigamy.

"Attorney-General Philip Ruddock, in his attempts to stigmatise same-sex relationships, has only reinforced general perceptions that the Government is mean-spirited and out-of-touch," CUA spokesperson John Kloprogge said.

"Just as before, Mr Ruddock's moves have nothing to do with legal conflicts, and everything to do with homophobia," Mr Kloprogge continued.

"Ordinary Australians - and particularly ACT citizens - are tired of the Federal Government's vindictive targetting of loving same-sex couples, and their encroachment on the territory's right to make their own laws," Mr Kloprogge concluded.

ACT Attorney-General Simon Corbell promised to reintroduce the bill once a more "sympathetic" Federal Government is elected.

Civil Union Action! encourages members of the LGBTI community to express their support for the bill to the ACT Government.

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