Kirby "confused" over partnership registries / Tas/ACT schemes "some of the best in the world"

This media release was issued by the TGLRG on 16.10.08.

Academics and activists say retiring High Court judge, Michael Kirby, is confused about the civil partnership registries that currently operate in Tasmania and the A.C.T.

Yesterday Justice Kirby said the registration of relationships is "rather like a dog or busker's licence".

In response, Tasmanian Gay and Lesbian Rights Group spokesperson, Rodney Croome, dismissed the comment as "confused".

"All important life events - including births, deaths and marriages - are registered on a register by a registrar in a registry, and the registration of a civil partnership is no different", Mr Croome said.

"I share Justice Kirby's deep disappointment that same-sex couples are not permitted to marry in Australia, but it is unfair of him to direct his indignation at state and territory civil registries."

"They were not intended as a substitute for same-sex marriage, but as an alternative way for couples who can't or don't wish to marry to formalise their unions."

Australian National University law lecturer, Wayne Morgan, said that Australia's civil registries are not only fully-fledged civil union schemes but some of the best of the kind in the world.

"Our schemes are fully-fledged civil unions and are recognised as such in countries like the UK", Mr Morgan said.

"Furthermore, they tend to be open to a wider range of personal relationships, and have optional ceremonial features, making them much more equitable and inclusive than many overseas civil partnership schemes", Mr Morgan said.

Heidi Yates, a spokesperson for ACT gay and lesbian rights group, Good Process, said that couples who register a civil partnership receive both the practical benefit of guaranteeing their legal status and the symbolic benefit of officially affirming their commitment in front of friends and family members.

"Equality in marriage for same-sex couples is a crucial part of achieving a just and equitable Australia, but it is only one part", Ms Yates said.

"Even with same-sex marriage there will be some partners - same-sex and opposite-sex - who will wish to formalise their unions in a different way."

For more information contact Rodney Croome on 0409 010 668, Wayne Morgan on 0411 134 899 and Heidi Yates on 0410 417 184.