Posted on 06/06/2006 5:44:21 AM PDT by Aussie Dasher
The Federal Government has announced it will move to disallow the ACT's Civil Unions Bill.
The ACT (Australian Capital Territory) Government has passed legislation to recognise same-sex relationships, despite opposition from the Federal Government.
Federal Cabinet considered the matter today, and Prime Minister John Howard has announced he will move to disallow the legislation.
Attorney-General Philip Ruddock says the Federal Government cannot allow the ACT's legislation to stand.
"We have decided to defend the fundamental institution of marriage against the laws that were passed here in the Australian Capital Territory," he said.
"The Marriage Act makes it clear that marriage is a union between a man and a woman to exclusion of all others."
Mr Ruddock says the ACT Government did not take on board all the Commonwealth's suggested changes to the bill.
"They made some changes - that's a matter of fact - but they didn't accommodate all of the suggestions we made," he said.
The ACT Government says it has amended the legislation so it does not contravene the Commonwealth's definition of marriage.
But Mr Howard is not satisfied with the changes.
"The legislation, by its own admission, is an attempt to equate civil unions with marriage and we don't find that acceptable," he said.
Good news, for a change!
I am really starting to love Australia.
True, but exchanging gun control for gay control isn't an entirely bad tradeoff.
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