08 December 2004

Civil Unions confusion reigns

Debate on the final stages of the Civil Union Bill has revealed that most MPs supporting it have either failed to realise or admit that this is same-sex marriage, says Maxim Institute, Managing Director Greg Fleming.

"Deceptive government propaganda has also misled Parliament and the public as to what the Bill actually does. The Civil Union Bill does not provide same-sex or de facto couples with any rights," says Mr Fleming.

"MPs will not even know what the Civil Union Bill will actually do until the Relationships Bill is reported back to Parliament."

Ironically the Civil Relationships Bill amendment proposed by Richard Worth would have provided more tangible benefits for people than Civil Unions. Voting down this alternative confirmed the high level of confusion over the effects of the respective Bills.

Mr Fleming says, "It is not the role of the state to pass laws to simply recognise 'love and commitment'. Parliament does not need to legislate for same-sex couples to have a ceremony. Plainly this is all about the state endorsement of same-sex unions."

"If MPs are confused about this then they should look for another job," says Greg Fleming.

"All of the claims and demands of the proponents can be dealt with in the companion Relationships Bill - the Civil Union Bill is unnecessary."

ENDS

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