Feds move against same-sex couple rights
Will WA's laws be overriden by Howard Govt homophobia?
6 June 2006
Western Australia's Gay and Lesbian Equality (WA) has accused Federal Cabinet of pandering to fundamentalist conservatives and far right-wing religious groups following an announcement today that the Howard Government will override the ACT's civil union laws.
GALE spokesperson Rod Swift said that WA's state-based de facto relationship laws may be at risk. Both the WA and ACT laws grant same-sex couples identical rights to heterosexual couples under the lawsf in each jurisdiction.
Mr Swift expressed concern that the Federal Government would seek to use it's constitutional power over marital relationships to override WA's Interpretation Act.
"If Western Australia's de facto laws are overridden by the Federal Government, the State of Western Australia should launch a High Court challenge," Mr Swift said.
"We call on WA Attorney-General Jim McGinty to give assurances that WA will resist any move by Canberra to destroy our de facto relationship laws, including action in the High Court if necessary."
MEDIA COMMENT:
Rod Swift GALE Convenor 0417 890 111
Kelly Pilgrim-Byrne GALE Spokesperson 0400 091 742
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