AUSSIE PM TO OVERTURN CIVIL UNION LAW

Despite opposition from some in his party, Prime Minister Kevin Rudd reportedly plans to overturn new civil union legislation in one Australian territory.

The legislation passed in the Australian Capital Territory, a self governing state, allows same-sex couples to celebrate their civil union in a legally binding ceremony; making the ceremony appear to be similar to marriage.

It has emerged that Rudd plans to use his federal powers to quash the revised law. He has previously asserted his position that marriage should only be between a man and a woman.

“I fully respect the integrity of other same-sex relationships … but in terms of the policy, it’s a matter to which we have been committed for some time,” he said in July in an interview.

According to The Australian, a spokesperson for Attorney-General Robert McClelland said that “The government is committed to ensuring that all couples, whether married or de facto, do not suffer discrimination.

“The government’s position is that the most appropriate way to achieve this is through the development of a nationally consistent framework for relationship recognition.”

In addition to opposing same-sex marriage in Australia, Rudd’s government also refuses to recognise gay marriages from other countries in which these are legal.