In an interview with Melbourne's Joy FM on April 24 ACT chief minister Jon Stanhope announced he intended to pass the ACT Civil Partnerships Bill through the Legislative Assembly before the October 18 territory election.
The ACT is arguing with the Rudd federal Labor government about the content of the bill. The federal government says the territory bill resembles marriage too closely, because it allows for same-sex couples to hold an official ceremony as part of their civil partnership.
The federal government wants the ACT to change the civil partnership bill to a registry scheme. But Stanhope rejected such a scheme, saying \"We don't support that model, and we won't compromise on the position we've put to this electorate ... I promised before the last election that if I was elected, I would introduce legislation in the ACT that accorded equality under the law, in other words, in the creation of a gay and lesbian relationship.\"
The former Howard Coalition government overturned legislation for civil unions in the ACT, and the Rudd Labor government has the power to do the same.
On April 30, the federal Attorney General Robert McLelland announced his intention to repeal more than 100 pieces of legislation that discriminate against same-sex de facto couples. They include laws governing superannuation, workers' compensation, social security, veterans' entitlements, aged care and hospital visiting rights. The proposals will be introduced in the winter session and, if passed, will be in operation by mid-2009.
McLelland also reaffirmed the government's opposition to same-sex marriage rights. \"In keeping with the election commitment, the changes do not alter the marriage laws. The changes will provide for equality of treatment under a wide range of Commonwealth laws between same-sex and opposite-sex de facto couples\", he told the April 30 Melbourne Age.
Commenting on civil unions in the ACT, he said: \"While we support a system of registration of same-sex relationships, we don't support an arrangement that mimics marriage\".
Community activists have welcomed the federal government's move but are calling for full rights, including marriage.
ACT Attorney General Simon Corbell told the Age on May 1 that, \"Removing discrimination cannot be done in a piecemeal manner — removing discrimination means removing discrimination full stop\".
Rodney Croome, a spokesperson for the Australian Coalition for Equality, said on April 30 that while it was \"deeply
disappointing\" that the Rudd government isn't prepared to accept equality in marriage, \"I look forward to same-sex de facto law reform rekindling the debate on why full legal and social equality is needed\".
The ACT-based group Campaign for Civil Unions is organising a protest for civil unions in Canberra on June 21 at 1pm in Garema Place. The fourth annual national day of action for same-sex marriage will be held in mid-August. To get involved in the same-sex rights campaign contact Sapphire Rose on 0416 851 894.