Aus state passes gay union law
2008-05-09 12:53
Canberra - An Australian city government passed a watered-down version of a same-sex union law on Friday after the federal government threatened to quash any legislation that resembled traditional marriage.
The Australian Capital Territory government, which administers the federal capital Canberra, passed the law in the Legislative Assembly that allows gays and lesbians to officially register their relationships with long-term partners.
It was the third of Australia's eight states and territories to legally recognise same-sex relationships.
However, the local government was forced to axe part of the bill that would have enabled gay couples to formalise their relationships through civil ceremonies.
The federal government argued a legally recognised ceremony was too similar to a wedding, and threatened to use its constitutional powers to overturn the proposed law unless it was amended.
"The government made clear to ACT that it would not accept legislation that mimics marriage," federal Attorney-General Robert McClelland said in a statement on Friday.
Undermine the institution of marriage
Gay marriage is a hot-button issue in Australia. Many people believe it would undermine the institution of marriage, while gay rights advocates say it is a key test of authorities' willingness to end discrimination.
The territory's attorney general, Simon Corbell, accused the government of pandering to the Christian right.
"It's playing to the politics of the extreme right religious lobby here in Australia represented by the Australian Christian lobby," Corbell told The Associated Press.
Australian Christian Lobby managing director Jim Wallace has welcomed the federal intervention, but denied his religious advocacy group was responsible for it.
The federal government won widespread praise last week when it promised to eliminate discrimination against gay couples on issues such as taxation, pensions and welfare payments.
Among Australia's population of 21 million people, more than 40 000 live with a partner of the same gender, a government report found last year.
- AP