Australia: AG Consulting With Labor on Possibility of Blocking Civil Unions in ACT
FEDERAL Attorney-General Robert McClelland has pledged to consult Labor colleagues on any move to quash new laws in the national capital letting gay couples hold official ceremonies to mark their civil unions.
His commitment came as the Catholic Church stepped up pressure on the Rudd Government to overturn the law, passed by the Australian Capital Territory assembly last week.
Asked about his response to the law by ACT Senator Kate Lundy in the Labor caucus meeting yesterday, Mr McClelland said he was still considering the issue. ''He said that he was getting advice basically, but he would keep people informed and consult on that issue,'' a caucus spokesman said. ''He hadn't had a chance to look at the legislation that has been carried by the ACT, but there would be consultation held.''
Full Story from The Age: http://www.theage.com.au/national/ag-to-consult-on-gay-law-20091117-ikcj.html
Planning to marry your partner? Click here for gay marriage resources in Australia.
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posted by Mark & Scott at
11/17/2009 05:12:00 AM
2 Comments:
In Australia, same-sex marriage is prohibied because former Prime Minister John Howard in 2005 passed to bill that banned it.
His party, the Liberals (conservative), continue to not support same-sex marriage.
Now in government, Kevin Rudd and Labor, will not change the law. He refused to even let the issue get debate in his party's caucus. It's clear that there are big lobby groups who are forcing him in this direction.
Even if he wanted to, he couldn't, because the Senate is controlled by Stephen Fielding and Family First Party, a Christian rightwing party.
It's vital that fierce activism will force the government to pass legislation and legalise same-sex marriage - or at least end the ban, which will allow each state to decree whether or not.
Only one Australia political party supports same-sex marriage, The Greens, led by Bob Brown.
Sarah Hanson-Young is a big supporter of Equal Love.
It will be Australia-wide during the 28th November at 1pm.
Contact at: www.equallove.info and contact@equallove.info.
Let's have a world solidary gay rights movements where activists across the world at comrades and fight for justice and equality for all.
There is also going to be a post-rally meeting at the Imperial hotel at 3pm (Bourke and Spring). It will be a speech by NUS Queer Officer Liam Byrne, who is a very well-known and highly regard gay rights activist in Australia.
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