Queensland’s Government will reinstate civil partnership ceremonies. Labor has made it clear it will honour its election commitment to reverse the policy change. The ceremonies were scrapped by the former LNP Government. Australian Marriage Equality national director Rodney Croome says it shows there is an appetite in the community for treating same-sex relationships with dignity and respect. "But civil partnerships can never be a substitute for full marriage equality because they are not as widely recognised, understood or respected as marriage,” he says. "This is why countries like New Zealand and Britain have moved on from civil partnerships to marriage equality." Some form of civil partnership or registered relationship exists in four other states and territories: the ACT, Tasmania, NSW and Victoria. Couples in the ACT and Tasmania can opt for an official ceremony. Official ceremonies are not available in Victoria and NSW.
Credit: GayNZ.com Daily News staff
First published: Thursday, 26th February 2015 - 8:44am