Queensland MPs have voted in favour of legalising same-sex civil unions during an historic night in Parliament.

After almost four hours of debate Andrew Fraser's private member's bill was passed by a vote of 47 to 40. The bill, introduced by Deputy Premier Andrew Fraser, enables same-sex couples to register their union with the Queensland Registry of Births, Deaths and Marriages.

The bill will grant same-sex couples the right to enter in to legally recognised civil unions. At least one of the parties to the civil partnership must live in Queensland. The debate has prompted a strong reaction from gay rights, religious and family groups. Labor MPs were allowed a conscience vote, but all Liberal National Party voted against the bill.

Four Labor MPs voted against the bill, including Health Minister Geoff Wilson, Capalaba MP Michael Choi, Albert MP Margaret Keech and Bundamba MP Jo-Ann Miller.

Speaking in Parliament, Mr Fraser said it was 21 years to the day that Labor decriminalised homosexual activities in Queensland. And now he said, Labor could make history again to progress the rights of homosexuals.

"This bill merely but not meekly seeks to formally recognise relationships which have existed in Queensland for centuries,'' he told Parliament.

"It provides them with the opportunity to celebrate their commitment and their love for one another in a ceremony in front of friends and family, perhaps this is its most important feature.''

Opposition legal affairs spokesman Jarrod Bleijie said Mr Fraser only introduced the bill to shore up the left vote and was rushing it through parliament before the election, due early next year.

He said the bill was only introduced on October 25 and there has not been enough time for community consultation.

"He (Mr Fraser) did it to stitch up a Green preference deal,'' Mr Bleijie told Parliament. "This bill is nothing more than a stunt.''

Mr Bleijie said more than 54 per cent of the final number of submissions to a legislative committee that examined the bill were received 17 days after the cut-off date.

"That goes to the heart of the lack of consultation,'' he said.

"We do not believe the people of Queensland have had the appropriate opportunities to raise their concerns.''

He also said the bill was not a priority for Queenslanders, who are more concerned about cost of living pressures.

"Civil partnerships is not on a priority list in the minds of Queenslanders,'' he said.

"The passing of this bill will not save Queenslanders money, it will not ease cost of living pressures, it will not get our triple-A credit rating back.''

Premier Anna Bligh said the bill may not be a priority for all of Queensland but it was a priority for those that live with discrimination every single day of their lives.

Read full story: http://www.couriermail.com.au