MEDIA RELEASE: Equality demands amendments to R'ships Register
MEDIA RELEASE: Equality demands amendments to R'ships Register
Civil Union Action! (CUA)
http://www.cuaction.org
Equality demands amendments to R'ships Register
For Immediate Release: 9 April 2008
Human rights group, Civil Union Action! (CUA) has welcomed the preliminary support in the Victorian Legislative Council last night for a Relationships Register, but has urged members who support equality to approve proposed amendments in the Committee stage today.
Members voted 29-10 last night to advance the bill to the next stage (Second Reading). Greens MLC for Southern Metropolitan, Sue Pennicuik, circulated proposed amendments for debate – regarding official ceremonies and the recognition of couples where one partner is a non-resident of Victoria.
While the bill will provide legal security to couples, Civil Union Action spokesperson, John Kloprogge, urged members to support the Greens' amendments.
“Civil Union Action supports the register, as it provides much needed legal security to couples – but there are serious issues which need to be fixed, for the sake of equality.”
“First, the option of official ceremonies. Surely the love and commitment of two partners is worth celebrating in a public way? It's not acceptable in the 21st century to hide our relationships away.”
“Second, recognition of couples where one partner lives interstate. Couples who find themselves separated by distance shouldn't be separated from legal recognition and support.”
“Third, mutual recognition of corresponding schemes. The Victorian register should recognise couples who registered their relationship in Tasmania, for instance. We understand the Government has, thankfully, promised to fix this issue.”
“And finally, adoption. While it may not strictly fit within the aims of this bill, same-sex couples have not forgotten about it. The Victorian Law Reform Commission last year recommended legalising same-sex adoption – but the Brumby Government has evaded responsibility on the issue thus far.”
Proposed amendments to the Relationships Bill 2007 will be debated in Committee stage, today. After that, it will be due for its Third Reading speech and a vote will be taken. Once approved and given Royal assent, the register will come into operation by 1 December 2008.
***
Media contact:
John Kloprogge 0422 913 942 cuaction@hotmail.com
***
References:
The bill, and Ms Pennicuik's proposed amendments, can be viewed here:
http://tinyurl.com.au/x.php?mpa
Civil Union Action! (CUA)
http://www.cuaction.org
Equality demands amendments to R'ships Register
For Immediate Release: 9 April 2008
Human rights group, Civil Union Action! (CUA) has welcomed the preliminary support in the Victorian Legislative Council last night for a Relationships Register, but has urged members who support equality to approve proposed amendments in the Committee stage today.
Members voted 29-10 last night to advance the bill to the next stage (Second Reading). Greens MLC for Southern Metropolitan, Sue Pennicuik, circulated proposed amendments for debate – regarding official ceremonies and the recognition of couples where one partner is a non-resident of Victoria.
While the bill will provide legal security to couples, Civil Union Action spokesperson, John Kloprogge, urged members to support the Greens' amendments.
“Civil Union Action supports the register, as it provides much needed legal security to couples – but there are serious issues which need to be fixed, for the sake of equality.”
“First, the option of official ceremonies. Surely the love and commitment of two partners is worth celebrating in a public way? It's not acceptable in the 21st century to hide our relationships away.”
“Second, recognition of couples where one partner lives interstate. Couples who find themselves separated by distance shouldn't be separated from legal recognition and support.”
“Third, mutual recognition of corresponding schemes. The Victorian register should recognise couples who registered their relationship in Tasmania, for instance. We understand the Government has, thankfully, promised to fix this issue.”
“And finally, adoption. While it may not strictly fit within the aims of this bill, same-sex couples have not forgotten about it. The Victorian Law Reform Commission last year recommended legalising same-sex adoption – but the Brumby Government has evaded responsibility on the issue thus far.”
Proposed amendments to the Relationships Bill 2007 will be debated in Committee stage, today. After that, it will be due for its Third Reading speech and a vote will be taken. Once approved and given Royal assent, the register will come into operation by 1 December 2008.
***
Media contact:
John Kloprogge 0422 913 942 cuaction@hotmail.com
***
References:
The bill, and Ms Pennicuik's proposed amendments, can be viewed here:
http://tinyurl.com.au/x.php?mpa
posted by CUAction at 2:16 AM
0 Comments:
Post a Comment
<< Home