MEDIA RELEASE: Register welcomed; improvements still needed
MEDIA RELEASE: Register welcomed; improvements still needed
Civil Union Action! (CUA)
http://www.cuaction.org
Register welcomed; improvements still needed
For Immediate Release: 13 March 2008
Human rights group, Civil Union Action! (CUA) has welcomed the passage today in the Victorian Legislative Assembly of a Relationships Register, but insists that improvements are needed to ensure equality for same-sex couples.
The register was foreshadowed by the State Government before the 2006 election, and will allow couples, regardless of sex, to record their relationship to receive similar entitlements as married couples currently enjoy under state law. It also assists in proving the existence of relationship for legal purposes.
However, CUA spokesperson John Kloprogge said 3 problems remain in the current register.
"While the relationships register is a welcome step towards equal recognition for same-sex couples, we still have concerns we hope will be addressed as soon as possible.
"First, it lacks the option of an officially-recognised public ceremony. Loving relationships ought to be celebrated as they bring happiness to so many lives, and they benefit society as a whole.
"Second, it does not extend adoption rights to same-sex couples. Last year's plans to extend parenting rights, following recommendations by the Victorian Law Reform Commission, disappointingly stopped short of allowing same-sex couples to adopt.
"Third, there remains confusion about the status of people in relationships schemes in other jurisdictions. The Victorian register should be as broad as possible, to ensure many couples can benefit from it,” Mr Kloprogge concluded.
The bill passed the Legislative Assembly today, but is due to be debated in the Legislative Council in April.
***
Media contact:
John Kloprogge 0422 913 942 cuaction@hotmail.com
Civil Union Action! (CUA)
http://www.cuaction.org
Register welcomed; improvements still needed
For Immediate Release: 13 March 2008
Human rights group, Civil Union Action! (CUA) has welcomed the passage today in the Victorian Legislative Assembly of a Relationships Register, but insists that improvements are needed to ensure equality for same-sex couples.
The register was foreshadowed by the State Government before the 2006 election, and will allow couples, regardless of sex, to record their relationship to receive similar entitlements as married couples currently enjoy under state law. It also assists in proving the existence of relationship for legal purposes.
However, CUA spokesperson John Kloprogge said 3 problems remain in the current register.
"While the relationships register is a welcome step towards equal recognition for same-sex couples, we still have concerns we hope will be addressed as soon as possible.
"First, it lacks the option of an officially-recognised public ceremony. Loving relationships ought to be celebrated as they bring happiness to so many lives, and they benefit society as a whole.
"Second, it does not extend adoption rights to same-sex couples. Last year's plans to extend parenting rights, following recommendations by the Victorian Law Reform Commission, disappointingly stopped short of allowing same-sex couples to adopt.
"Third, there remains confusion about the status of people in relationships schemes in other jurisdictions. The Victorian register should be as broad as possible, to ensure many couples can benefit from it,” Mr Kloprogge concluded.
The bill passed the Legislative Assembly today, but is due to be debated in the Legislative Council in April.
***
Media contact:
John Kloprogge 0422 913 942 cuaction@hotmail.com
posted by CUAction at 5:05 PM
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