Civil unions in Australia
The government of the Australian Capital Territory (or ACT) tried a few months ago to implement civil unions in their territory, only to have the legislation over-ridden by Australia's federal government on the basis that it was "gay marriage by another name" (same-sex marriage was explicitly banned in Australia in 2004). There is now a new federal government in power, and the ACT government is planning to try again.
The new Prime Minister Kevin Rudd has said he does not support gay marriage, but supports "greater legal recognition of same-sex relationships", and has promised to make some reforms in favour of same-sex couples at the federal level. He hasn't committed one way or the other to the ACT move yet, but I'm somewhat optimistic.
The new Prime Minister Kevin Rudd has said he does not support gay marriage, but supports "greater legal recognition of same-sex relationships", and has promised to make some reforms in favour of same-sex couples at the federal level. He hasn't committed one way or the other to the ACT move yet, but I'm somewhat optimistic.