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Same-sex couples in Queensland may soon be able to register their relationships according to the state’s Attorney-General Kerry Shine.
However, recognition of same-sex co-parents will not be included on any reform agenda.
In a letter to lobbyists dated May 14, Shine states that he is prepared to consider proposals for a relationship register “in principle”.
The announcement indicates a major turnaround in the state government’s attitude to the issue of relationship registration. Previously, several high-level government sources told lobbyists a relationship register would not be considered as the government believed existing de facto recognition was sufficient.
However, Shine’s letter refers to requests from Federal Attorney-General Robert McLelland for the states to consider a national co-operative approach on the issue, as well as lobbying from representatives of Action Reform Change Queensland (ARCQ), Queensland Association for Healthy Communities (QAHC), Australian Marriage Equality (AME), and independent trans activist Linda Petrie.
ARCQ spokesperson Rod Goodbun told SX the group was “extremely pleased” the government was now willing to consider the issue.
However, Goodbun said the government’s unwillingness to consider recognising same-sex co-parents was a “sting in the tail” of the letter.
While Goodburn was pleased Shine would continue to monitor the issue, he was disappointed with the Attorney-General’s statement that he was not convinced Queenslanders would support the reform, he said.
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