ACT Labor believes that every individual is entitled to the right to participate fully in society and receive the support and protection of the law, whatever their sexual orientation or gender identity.
Labor’s commitment to law reform began with the introduction of the Domestic Relationships Act in 1994. This was the first major law reform initiative in the ACT towards recognising committed relationships other than marriage.
The Domestic Relationships Act recognised all relationships where the partners had provided personal or financial commitment and domestic support to each other for a period of two or more years. The Act placed unmarried heterosexual couples and same sex couples in a similar position to married couples in relation to property rights.
The next advance was secured by the Stanhope Labor Government, with the Legislation (Gay, Lesbian and Transgender) Amendment Act 2003 (‘the GLT Amendment Act’).
The GLT Amendment Act amended a number of ACT laws to address discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity. Among these amendments was the introduction of a new non-discriminatory definition of ‘domestic partnership’ which is now built into a number of ACT laws.
A further advance was the Sexuality Discrimination Legislation Amendment Act 2004 which built rights for domestic partnerships into a greater range of ACT laws.
The overall result of these reforms was to extend the rights of same sex couples into an increasing number of legal areas, on the basis of equality with the rights of unmarried opposite sex couples.
The 2006 Civil Unions Bill formed part of the Stanhope government's commitment to reform all areas of ACT law that discriminate on the grounds of sexual preference or gender identity. It was a commitment that Labor has taken to two elections and it is a principled commitment that has drawn strong support from the community.
ACT Labor's commitment is about recognising and strengthening relationships. It is about supporting loving, caring relationships regardless of the sexuality of those involved.
Unfortunately, the Howard Federal Government overturned the 2006 Civil Unions Act and in 2008 the Rudd Federal Government threatened to do the same to the Civil Partnerships Act.
In May 2008, the amended Civil Partnerships Act was passed by the Legislative Assembly. Click on the links to read my speeches on the Civil Unions Bill and the Civil Partnerships Bill. Further reforms occured in November 2009 with the passage of the Civil Partnerships Amendment Bill.
Parental Leave Reform
With the passage of the Parental Leave Legislation Amendment Bill 2008, gay and lesbian couples and their children have had another form of discrimination against them removed by the ACT Labor Government.
The new legislation provides same-sex couples with the same access to parental leave as other families, and is the latest in a long line of reforms instituted by the ACT Labor Government to ensure all Canberrans are treated with equality, dignity and respect.
Combatting homophobia in schools and sport
Report on Discrimination and Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, Transgender and Intersex People in the ACT
Recognition of same-sex relationships discussion paper
Authorised by A.Barr, Australian Labor Party (ACT Branch), 21 Torrens Street, Braddon, 2612. Site by Kudasai
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