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Tasmanian ceremonies plan puts pressure on Rudd |
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News -
Australian News
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Written by John Kloprogge | Equal Love
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Wednesday, 30 September 2009 07:05 |
Activists in the Australian Capital Territory (ACT) have welcomed the move to allow the option of official ceremonies for couples entering a Tasmanian Deed of Relationship, saying it places further pressure on the Rudd Government not to quash civil union ceremonies in the ACT.
From 1 November 2009 the Tasmanian Registry of Births, Deaths and Marriages will change its procedures to allow a couple to bring their Deed of Relationship into effect by signing their relationship certificate in a ceremony presided over by a marriage celebrant. Couples entering a Deed of Relationship will be able to nominate anyone, including a marriage celebrant, to officially receive their relationship certificate on their behalf and confer it on them at a ceremony that involves the partners and the celebrant signing the certificate to begin the new legal relationship
"This move to allow official ceremonies for couples in Tasmania raises the bar for the recognition of diverse relationships in other states and territories in Australia," Equal Love Canberra spokesperson John Kloprogge said.
Kloprogge said Tasmania's move will make it easier for the ACT Government to legislate for ceremonies later this year.
"This move places further pressure on the Rudd Government not to quash the ACT's proposed ceremonies, because it shows that while other states are progressing, the ACT is being held back – purely due to federal government intransigence," Kloprogge said.
"The ACT Government, like all states and territory governments, has the right to legislate for equality without being bullied by the federal government," Kloprogge concluded.
A public rally is planned to defend civil union ceremonies in the ACT. The rally will be on Saturday 7 November at 1pm in Garema Place, Canberra.
Media contact: John Kloprogge,
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
, ph 0422 913 942
For more on the Tasmanian ceremonies, contact: Rodney Croome 0409 010 668
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