Simon Corbell is letting us know that we’re doing civil unions again.
The ACT Labor Government will today introduce legislation to re-establish Civil Unions for same-sex couples and fully restore provisions for ceremonies in the ACT, Attorney General, Simon Corbell announced today.
The bill, which is closely modelled on a bill first introduced by the ACT Labor Government in 2006, will replace the existing Civil Partnerships Act 2008, fully restoring ceremonies and celebrants and strengthening the ceremonial aspect of a civil union.
Under the proposed legislation a civil union is created by making a declaration before a celebrant and takes effect from that time.
“I am proud to re-introduce this legislation, particularly following recent developments in amendments to the Australian Labor Party policy platform on the issue of marriage equality,” Mr Corbell said.
“Currently in the ACT, a same-sex civil partnership is created by registration and has effect on a date determined by the Registrar-General.
“Same-sex couples should be afforded the same rights as heterosexual couples, and that is to have the ceremony make the relationship official and for that to take effect immediately.”
The bill also makes provision for a same-sex couple to declare their relationship before a celebrant, as opposed to a notary. The Bill creates “civil union celebrants” who must be registered.
Given most couples are already de facto long before their wedding ceremony one could hope we just take the Government out of weddings altogether.
But that’s not what governments do.
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