McClelland "wrong" on Tasmanian registry / Feds must answer hard questions on marriage

This media release was issued by the TGLRG on 1.5.08.

Academics and activists have slammed Attorney-General, Robert McClelland, for what they say is "misrepresentation" of the Tasmanian relationship registry, and for using it to dodge the same-sex marriage debate.

In his dispute with the ACT Government over gay partnerships, Mr McClelland has endorsed the Tasmanian registry as a preferable model to the ACT's proposed civil partnerships scheme because the former "registers existing relationships" rather than "creating new ones through a ceremony", something advocates for the Tasmanian scheme say is wrong.

Australian National University Senior Law Lecturer, and a consultant on the drafting of the Tasmanian registry, Wayne Morgan, said the registry confers on couples a new legal status with new legal rights.

"The only relevant difference between the ACT’s law and that in Tasmania, and soon Victoria, is that the ACT law requires a ceremony whilst the others leave this up to the choice of the couples involved", Mr Morgan said.

"All these schemes are effectively civil unions, but Mr McClelland is exaggerating and misrepresenting the differences between them to justify his Government's opposition to the ACT's proposal."

Meanwhile, Tasmanian Gay and Lesbian Rights Group spokesperson, Rodney Croome, accused Mr McClelland of using existing or proposed state relationship schemes as a shield to dodge hard questions on same-sex marriage.

"The Tasmanian, Victorian and ACT relationship schemes are not designed as substitutes for marriage but to exist alongside it, as a way for couples who can't or don't wish to marry to formalise and solemnise their unions", Mr Croome said.

"Mr McClelland must stop hiding behind the Tasmanian scheme and attacking the proposed ACT scheme, and address the key issue: why shouldn't same-sex partners marry?"

For more information contact Wayne Morgan on 0411 134 899 or Rodney Croome on 0409 010 668.