Posted on 05/26/2004 11:56:13 PM PDT by Cracker72
CANBERRA (Reuters) - Same-sex marriages in Australia will be outlawed and gay couples blocked from adopting children from overseas under laws proposed by the conservative government on Thursday that echo similar moves made in the United States.
But changes would also be made to allow same-sex couples to nominate their partners as beneficiaries for superannuation -- tax-free pension death benefits.
Prime Minister John Howard said his government plans to ask the national parliament later on Thursday to amend the Marriage Act to define a marriage as a union between a man and a woman, preventing gay and lesbian couples from marrying. It doesn't currently actually define marriage.
The move, which was expected to win parliamentary backing, echoes calls by Howard's close ally President Bush for the U.S. constitution to be amended to ban same-sex marriage.
"The commonly accepted definition of a marriage is a union of a man and a woman. We have decided to insert this into the Marriage Act to make it very plain that that is our view of marriage," Howard told a news conference.
Howard, whose eight-year-old government is trailing in opinion polls ahead of an election expected within months, said the law would also be amended so same-sex couples married overseas would not be recognized in Australia.
Opposition Labor spokeswoman Nicola Roxon said Labor does not support gay marriage and would vote in favor of the government's changes to the Marriage Act if it was consistent with common law.
HOMOPHOBIA CHARGE
Gay and Lesbian lobby groups criticized the government, saying it was using homophobia to divert attention away from its flagging popularity and more serious issues ahead of an election.
"No government should enshrine discrimination legislation. Howard is trying to create a crisis where one does not exist," co-convener of the Australian Gay and Lesbian Rights Lobby, Robert McGrory, told Reuters.
"We would have thought there are far more significant issues that the prime minister of Australia should be focusing on."
(Excerpt) Read more at reuters.com ...
Okay, I'm off your ping list, now I'm pinging you.
Proof Australia is in better shape than the US right now.
AND adoption. Somebody is thinking over there. The insurance thing is more a contract issue rather than a "marriage" issue. I can buy a life insurance policy and list my secretary as beneficiary if I so choose.
Charities have life insurance gifts.
Hmm we could set up a whole life give to FR life insurance gift...
No, you limp-wristed pansy, you are attempting to create a crisis by trying to force down the throats of the majority a brand-new right for a specific minority which is defined wholly by sexual behavior.
This "guy" should be told in no uncertain terms to sit down and shut up.
| What We Can Do To Help Defeat the "Gay" Agenda |
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| Homosexual Agenda: Categorical Index of Links (Version 1.1) |
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| Myth and Reality about Homosexuality--Sexual Orientation Section, Guide to Family Issues" |
Homosexual Agenda Ping - (thanks, beaversmom!)
Tra La La La La, good news from Oz! They're full of surprises, those Ozzies!
Let me know if anyone wants on/off this pinglist.
A good thing about people standing up against the onslaught of the homosexual activists is that one person's courage and strength inspires others.
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