Australian Senate upholds civil-union ban
Grrr....just last month (I think) I wrote about how the ACT's civil union act was a step forward for gay and lesbian individuals. Seems like we've taken a step back. Doesn't surprise me. SURE, the govt is concerned about whales, but yet he doesn't believe in equality for all people ::shaking head:: GO FIGURE.
SUMMARY: A 32-30 Senate vote cements Australia's defeat of the capital territory's efforts to let same-sex couples wed; territorial officials vow to try again.
By a 32-30 vote in the Senate, Australia's federal government succeeded Thursday in upholding its ban on the capital territory's legislation enabling civil unions between same-sex couples.
Despite three hours of parliamentary debate spanning legislative and emotionally charged arguments, senators voted to reject a motion to overturn a regulation signed Wednesday by Governor-General Michael Jeffery at the urging of Attorney General Philip Ruddock.
The Senate result ensured the federal government's ability to exert its constitutional power to overturn the Australian Capital Territory civil unions legislation, The Age newspaper reported.
Territorial Attorney General Simon Corbell labeled the Senate decision "homophobic," adding that he was disappointed but not surprised.
Corbell said the territory, which includes the nation's capital, Canberra, will now look to create a new act with the full intention of the original law giving same-sex couples the same rights as heterosexual couples have under the Marriage Act.
"It's still our intention to give the same level of recognition provided for in the Civil Unions Act," he said.
SUMMARY: A 32-30 Senate vote cements Australia's defeat of the capital territory's efforts to let same-sex couples wed; territorial officials vow to try again.
By a 32-30 vote in the Senate, Australia's federal government succeeded Thursday in upholding its ban on the capital territory's legislation enabling civil unions between same-sex couples.
Despite three hours of parliamentary debate spanning legislative and emotionally charged arguments, senators voted to reject a motion to overturn a regulation signed Wednesday by Governor-General Michael Jeffery at the urging of Attorney General Philip Ruddock.
The Senate result ensured the federal government's ability to exert its constitutional power to overturn the Australian Capital Territory civil unions legislation, The Age newspaper reported.
Territorial Attorney General Simon Corbell labeled the Senate decision "homophobic," adding that he was disappointed but not surprised.
Corbell said the territory, which includes the nation's capital, Canberra, will now look to create a new act with the full intention of the original law giving same-sex couples the same rights as heterosexual couples have under the Marriage Act.
"It's still our intention to give the same level of recognition provided for in the Civil Unions Act," he said.
posted by Gaylicious© at Friday, June 16, 2006
1 Comments:
I find it odd that Australia is lagging so far behind in this respect. After all, they were happy to sell themselves on the gay image during the Sydney Olympics opening ceremony, and to get the pink pound and tourist dollars through it.
Here is the UK we are 6 months in from Civil Partnerships being created for same sex couples. 6500 couples have registered so far, and it gives us the same rights as married couples in law. It is fantastic, and my partner of 9 years and I "got hitched" in February, with a small ceremony.
Fingers crossed that you guys, down under, get the chance soon.
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