GenQ - For the not so straight individual

The Australian Capital Territory state parliament passed legislation in June last year legalizing same-sex unions. The laws were promptly overturned by the federal government. Similar events have once again occurred, with a second attempt at introducing the laws to the territory once again being vetoed.

Attorney General Philip Ruddock said after the first attempt at same-sex union legislation was vetoed, that the introduction of such legislation would open the door to bigamy, and would also contradict the Marriage Act which specifically refers to the definition of marriage being between a man and a woman.

Changes were made to the legislation in a second attempt for the bill to pass, such as the rephrasing of terminology from "civil union" to "civil partnership."

Mr Ruddock said through a statement that the changes made by the ACT Government were not enough: "The revised bill has not removed the concerns that the commonwealth had about the Civil Unions Act." "It remains the government's opinion that the Civil Partnerships Bill would still in its amended form be likely to undermine the institution of marriage."

This Equal Rights News Report is a part of GenerationQ.net's Campaign for Equal Rights.