Rights lobby disappointed at G-G's decision
For immediate release: 13 June 2006
The Victorian Gay and Lesbian Rights Lobby (VGLRL) is disappointed at the Governor-General's agreement to the Federal Government's request to overturn the ACT civil union legislation.
"The Governor-General Michael Jeffries has agreed to the Federal Government's request to overturn the ACT civil unions legislation this morning" said Lobby spokesperson, Gerard Brody. "This is a sad day for the tens of thousands of same-sex couples, not only in the ACT, but around Australia, who continue to be treated as second class citizens by our Government".
"The fact that Mr Ruddock has said that this move is effective from today, preventing the ACT from speeding up the approval of civil unions, demonstrates the extent to which this Government is intent on entrenching discrimination against same-sex couples" said Mr Brody.
Mr Brody said that civil unions are different to marriage and that the Attorney-General was wrong to cite this as a reason to overturn the legislation. "They are completely different institutions, with civil unions increasingly being used around the world as a distinct way in which same-sex relationships are formally recognised. There is no legal or constitutional conflict between the ACT legislation and the Federal Marriage Act".
"We now call on backbench Liberal Senators to support a parliamentary disallowance of the Governor-General's decision".
The VGLRL continues to lobby for improved recognition of same-sex relationships in Victoria, including for legislation of civil unions, as the way in which such relationships can be treated in the same way as heterosexual relationships under Victorian law.
"The Federal Government would not be able to overturn civil unions legislated in Victoria without a High Court challenge" said Mr Brody.
For further information, contact Gerard Brody on 0417 484 438 or Ron Thiele.
For immediate release: 13 June 2006
The Victorian Gay and Lesbian Rights Lobby (VGLRL) is disappointed at the Governor-General's agreement to the Federal Government's request to overturn the ACT civil union legislation.
"The Governor-General Michael Jeffries has agreed to the Federal Government's request to overturn the ACT civil unions legislation this morning" said Lobby spokesperson, Gerard Brody. "This is a sad day for the tens of thousands of same-sex couples, not only in the ACT, but around Australia, who continue to be treated as second class citizens by our Government".
"The fact that Mr Ruddock has said that this move is effective from today, preventing the ACT from speeding up the approval of civil unions, demonstrates the extent to which this Government is intent on entrenching discrimination against same-sex couples" said Mr Brody.
Mr Brody said that civil unions are different to marriage and that the Attorney-General was wrong to cite this as a reason to overturn the legislation. "They are completely different institutions, with civil unions increasingly being used around the world as a distinct way in which same-sex relationships are formally recognised. There is no legal or constitutional conflict between the ACT legislation and the Federal Marriage Act".
"We now call on backbench Liberal Senators to support a parliamentary disallowance of the Governor-General's decision".
The VGLRL continues to lobby for improved recognition of same-sex relationships in Victoria, including for legislation of civil unions, as the way in which such relationships can be treated in the same way as heterosexual relationships under Victorian law.
"The Federal Government would not be able to overturn civil unions legislated in Victoria without a High Court challenge" said Mr Brody.
For further information, contact Gerard Brody on 0417 484 438 or Ron Thiele.
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