The ACT government has signalled its intention to move towards full marriage rights for Canberra's gay couples.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
After passing a bill last night that will strengthen the provisions of the territory's existing civil unions laws, Attorney-General Simon Corbell said this morning that he was working with the Tasmanian Government to develop same-sex marriage legislation.
The bill that passed last night, with ACT Greens support and against the objection of the Canberra Liberals, restores the role of ceremonies and celebrants in civil unions and gives same-sex couples the same rights as people married under the Marriage Act.
The legislation will effectively reinstate the ACT government's original civil union laws, which were overturned in 2006 by an intervention by the then Liberal federal government, which said the laws were too similar to marriage.
Mr Corbell said this morning that he now wanted to push on, in collaboration with Tasmania, towards full marriage rights for Canberra's same sex couples.
"I am pleased that my Tasmanian counter-part, Attorney-General Brian Wightman, has agreed to proceed with discussions that would see our two progressive governments work together to further state and territory-based legislation to promote same-sex marriage," Mr Corbell said.
"The Tasmanian government has announced its support for legislation to grant marriage equality for same-sex couples in Tasmania within the current term of government.
"Following my discussions with Mr Wightman we have agreed to share information that may assist the other jurisdiction to develop laws that provide for same-sex marriage."
In last night's debate, Canberra Liberals law and justice spokeswoman Vicki Dunne restated her party's opposition to the amendments.
"The essence of this bill is to allow the ceremony to solemnize civil union as they solemnize marriage," she said.
"Put quite simply, a ceremony that solemnizes a civil union emulates a marriage.
"Put quite simply, this bill offends not only the literal words of the Commonwealth Marriage Act but it's spirit and certainly its intent.
"It also offends the fundamental philosophy of marriage as well as its practicalities."
