Civil Unions Bill passes in Queensland

Author // Ron Hughes | October 26, 2011

http://gaynewsnetwork.com.au/news/northern-territory/2441-civil-unions-bill-passes-in-queensland.html

A bill to allow civil unions for same-sex and opposite-sex couples was passed in Queensland's parliament last night.

The Civil Partnerships Bill has now moved on to a parliamentary committee for scrutiny.

Deputy Premier Andrew Fraser had earlier in the day asked permission to make a change to  standing orders to allow the Bill to be introduced. The vote to allow for the Bill's hearing was passed 49-36, with members of the opposition objecting to it as a "political stunt".

Formally introducing the Bill last night, Fraser said, "[This Bill] achieves two important milestones that in 2011 many couples take for granted. Firstly, it provides a mechanism for couples, of the same or opposite sex, to declare their relationship before family and friends in a civil partnership ceremony and, secondly, it provides a relationship registration scheme for both same and opposite sex relationships."