Victoria - Same-sex relationships register

STATUS: Completed
UPDATE: March 2008
The Victorian government introduced the 'Relationships Bill' to the parliament in December 2007.
It was debated by the Legislative Assembly in March 2008 and passed 54-24.
The Bill went to the Legislative Council in April 2008 - where it was passed.
Click here for the campaign page relating to the Bill, debate and vote.

This page reports on the campaign/action when the Victorian government announced its intention to propose such legislation in 2007.

______________________________________________

24 April 2007 - Victorian govt plans a 'Relationships Register'
The Victorian government has confirmed that it plans to introduce a Relationships Register for homosexual and heterosexual couples, similar to the Tasmanian register. Attorney General Rob Hulls has been pushing the idea for some time, but Premier Steve Bracks had been hesitant. Now he appears to have agreed to it. The Municipal Association of Victoria has apparently asked the government to have a state-wide register because a number of Councils have been establishing their own separate 'registers' (Melbourne City Council, Port Phillip, Yarra).

The inclusion of heterosexual relationships in the register would undermine marriage by giving a 'lite' alternative.

The Age report notes that the Australian Christian Lobby is supporting the proposal providing certain conditions are met.

"The Australian Christian Lobby, which pressured the Howard Government to strike down the Australian Capital Territory's Civil Partnership Bill because it "mimicked marriage", last night offered cautious acceptance for the plan. "We are not opposed to the removal of unreasonable discrimination for same-sex couples," state director Railton Hill said. But it was important the legislation did not extend the right of adoption to homosexual couples, he said."

ACL noted their support for such a register in a media release a few weeks ago.
Click here to read it.

This is not a new position for the ACL - When the ACT government proposed a civil union bill in 2006, the ACL opposed that legislation but organised a petition that called on the ACT government to "instead introduce legislation that would allow for the registration of same sex and caring relationships, which does not mimic or diminish marriage, such as is in force in the state ofTasmania".
This move to support relationship registers was supported by the Evangelical Alliance.

Salt Shakers opposes any form of legal recognition of same-sex relationships and so opposes the proposed 'Relationships Register'.

Media Report:
Equal rights for same-sex couples in sight with Bracks backing
The Age, April 24, 2007

ACTION: Please write politely to Premier Mr Bracks, State Attorney General Rob Hulls who is pushing this issue in Victoria, Ted Baillieu and Peter Ryan.
Also write to all your own MPs - Upper (5) and Lower House (1). Send your letter to (your MP) Parliament House, Melbourne Vic 3002 OR you can email your letter.

Steve Bracks, Premier This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
Rob Hulls, Vic Attorney General This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
Ted Baillieu, Leader of the opposition This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
Peter Ryan, National Party Leader This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Click here to find your 6 MPs and their addresses (1 Lower House and 5 Upper House).
This is really easy - just type in your address and click on Search!!!!
For all MP addresses and emails click here.

Inform all your MPs that you are totally opposed to ANY legal recognition of same-sex relationships and the establishment of a 'Relationships Register'.
Tell them that it is not their role to endorse or promote homosexual relationships; that registering any de facto relationships will undermine marriage and that few homosexuals actually proceed to 'register' their relationships even when such a scheme is available.

Previous reports:

30 March 2007 - Same-sex relationships register...
Last week we learned that the Victorian government was considering establishing a same-sex relationships register similar to that in Tasmania. Perhaps they think that a 'civil union' scheme would cause problems with the federal government but they can appease the homosexual lobby by just doing a 'register'.
The establishment of 'relationships registers' has been a point of contention over the past year with some Christian groups calling for governments to establish 'relationship registers'.
Salt Shakers opposes all formal registration of same-sex relationships.
Click here for campaign page on the proposed register.

Media article:
Gay unions may soon be official
The Age, March 24, 2007