Taking Action - Campaigns - Vic - Relationship Registers

Victoria - Relationship Register

STATUS: The 'Relationships Bill' was passed on Thursday 11 April 2008.
A Register for heterosexual and homosexual relationships is due to commence on 1 December 2008.

In early December 2007 the Victorian government introduced legislation to introduce a Relationships Register for homosexual and heterosexual couples.

The Bill was introduced to Parliament on 4 December 2007 .
It is on the net: click here for the Bill - then click on 'Parliamentary Documents', then 'Bills', then scroll down to 'Relationships Bill 2007'.
Clicking on that will give you the Bill, Explanatory Memorandum and the Second Reading Speech by Attorney General Rob Hulls.
(Alternatively click here for the ACTUAL Bill)

We have added a 'Briefing Paper' and a 'Key Arguments' paper on the subject of Relationships Registers to this webpage. Both attached below.

Update: Friday 11 April 2008
A sad day for Victoria as the Victorian Legislative Council passed the 'Relationships Bill' at the third reading by a vote of 29 to 9.
This Register will now begin on 1 December 2008 , allowing same-sex and heterosexual couples to register their relationships.
Click here for the Hansard debate - Legislative Council Hansard - 10 April 2008.
Committee stage - amendments and final vote: pages 1038 - 1045 and 1054 - 1058.
The full list of the vote is below.
Summary of the vote:
ALL but one of the ALP Members ( Jaala Pulford) voted for the Bill.
Liberals: 8 for, 7 against.
Nationals: Peter Hall voted against the Bill. Damian Drum voted against the Bill in the second reading and against the amendments but was absent from the Chamber at a ministerial meeting during the final third reading vote.
DLP: Peter Kavanagh voted against the Bill.
Greens: All three MPs voted for the Bill.
The FULL list of the vote, along with contact details, is attached below.

Update: 8 April Legislative Council Second Reading Vote
The second reading 'in principle' vote was held on Tuesday 8 April 2008.
The vote was 29-10 in favour.
All but one of the ALP MPs voted for the Bill (Jaala Pulford didn't vote).
Peter Kavanagh of the DLP voted against the Bill.
Both National Party MPs (Damian Drum and Peter Hall) voted against the Bill.
Click here for the Hansard record of the debate and second reading vote.
[The 'Relationships Bill' debate and vote is on Pages 860 - 900.]
Full details will be provided after the final third reading vote.
Media:
One man's division is another's free speech
The Age, Paul Austin, April 24, 2008
The Coalition reveals stark differences in its ranks on social issues.

Update: 18 March
The Relationships Bill 2007 has now gone to the Victorian Legislative Council and had its second reading (13/3/2008, Justin Madden).
It could be debated in early April. The next sitting days are 8, 9 10 April .
PLEASE contact your FIVE Legislative Council Members.
Contact details in the ACTION Section below.

Update: 13 March 2008
Relationships Register passes Victorian Legislative Assembly
The Victorian Legislative Assembly last night passed the Relationships Bill 2007, which would give same-sex and heterosexual couples the ability to 'register' their relationship with the state. The vote was 54 to 24.
The Liberal and National Parties gave a free or conscience vote to their Members but Labor did not. Nationals leader Peter Ryan spoke strongly against the Bill but Liberal leader Ted Baillieu voted for the Bill.
Of the Liberals, 15 voted against the Bill and 6 voted for it; All the Nationals voted against the Bill as did Independent Craig Ingram. Seven Labor Members were not recorded in the vote.
The Bill now goes to the Legislative Council.
The debate could be in the week beginning Tuesday 8 April.
Victorians: Please write to your FIVE Legislative Council members.

The FULL analysis of the vote (as sent by our E-News) is posted below:
Victoria - Relationships Bill Vote as sent by Salt Shakers E-News
Hansard: The Hansard record of the debate and vote is online - click here.
Pages 738 to 772.

If your MP in the Legislative Assembly voted AGAINST the Bill please write and thank them.

Media Reports:
Victoria to recognise gay couples
The Age, Paul Austin and David Rood, March 13, 2008

Relations register clears first hurdle
The Age, AAP , March 12, 2008

Debate rages over gay relationships register
Herald Sun, AAP , March 12, 2008 (7.50 pm)__________________________________________

Relationship Registers undermine marriage:
Relationship Registers directly undermines marriage.
When such registers (or civil unions or marriage) include homosexual couples, it gives formal legal recognition to homosexual relationships. Whether or not a ceremony is included, the key aspect is the formal endorsement and registration of such relationships. As Christians we believe that we should not support or encourage such recognition or registration by the state.
When heterosexual couples are included it gives 'marriage-lite' with the ability to 'revoke' the arrangement with little notice. One can do that by giving 90 days notice. One can also dissolve a 'registered relationship' by marrying another person!
There is NO security for women or children in such arrangements.
Click here for more information on this issue.

ACTION: What can you do.

PLEASE contact your MPs to oppose this Bill . . .
Make an appointment to see your local State MP (Legislative Assembly) and your FIVE Legislative Council members so that you and a friend can go and talk about the benefits of marriage and the damage that extending such benefits to all couples will do to society.
Better still - PHONE YOUR MPs!!!

Contact details:
Your own MPs - one in the Legislative Assembly, five in the Legislative Council.
Click here - type in your address and your SIX MPs will be listed!

Author: Jenny Stokes | Modified: 30 April 2008