The ACT Legislative Assembly is likely to reintroduce civil unions for same-sex couples in the wake of the High Court’s decision to quash the territory’s marriage equality law.
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When the Assembly approved the marriage equality scheme in November, it also repealed laws that enabled same-sex couples to enter into legally-recognised civil unions.
Existing civil unions are still legally valid.
ACT Attorney-General Simon Corbell said the government would consider the High Court’s ruling before considering the reintroduction of civil unions.
“As to future civil unions, we’ll need to look carefully at the judgement and make an assessment as to whether any legislative reform or action is needed,’’ Mr Corbell said.
Constitutional law expert Professor George Williams, of the University of NSW, said the High Court ruling on marriage equality had no implications for the validity of civil union legislation.
“The ACT could re-legislate for civil unions, it doesn’t have any implications for that,’’ Professor Williams said.
High-profile Canberrans who have previously registered their same-sex relationships through civil union ceremonies include Deputy Chief Minister Andrew Barr and his partner Anthony Toms.
