Gay rights activists have welcomed the introduction of a statewide Relationships Register.
The register will allow samesex couples and unmarried heterosexual partners to be recognised as a couple under Victorian law. Deputy Premier and Attorney- General Rob Hulls launched the initiative last Friday. “This will make it easier for couples to access their rights under Victorian law and provide certainty to their legal obligations, without having to argue repeatedly that they are in a committed partnership or to have to prove this in court,” Hulls said. Hulls said the register was the culmination of many years of reform, and built on the Victorian Government’s 2001 reforms that amended some 60 Acts to remove discrimination against samesex and unmarried couples. “Domestic partners are now recognised in almost 80 Victorian Acts, however in practice a person could still be required to provide evidence they are in a domestic relationship, for example, in medical emergencies or for superannuation claims,” Hulls said. Veteran gay activist Jamie Gardiner and longtime partner Greg Chanhall were among the first couples to take advantage of the Relationship Register. “Wanting to have your relationship recognised is a matter of simple dignity, and there are a range of legal rights which benefit couples,” Gardiner told MCV. “We decided some time ago that we would do it. “Generally speaking, for most people in couple relationships the big changes occurred in 2001 when the rights were extended. But the question of whether you actually qualify is potentially subject to argument. “The most compelling example is that you don’t want to be arguing with the doctor in the emergency ward trying to convince them that you are family and that, yes, that is your partner and you have to let me in to see them. “Having a certificate that says you are partners would settle the argument. No one doubts it when a man and a woman claim to be a couple, but they do with gay and lesbian couples.” Gardiner believes there is substantial confusion over the validity of the Register. “It is nonsense to say that the Relationship Register is a watered down version of marriage. “Marriage is a civil relationship, it is not religious. As far as legal rights are concerned, the Relationship Register and marriage are parallel systems, it’s not second class marriage, it’s just not marriage. “This is a great tribute to the determination of Victoria’s Attorney-General to fulfill the promise that he and the Labor Party made 10 years ago.” The Victorian Gay and Lesbian Rights Lobby also welcomed the register: “It is exciting to see it implemented and we are enthusiastic to see the response from the community and how people are finding it,” co-convenor Hayley Conway told MCV. “People will be able to register and have recognition anywhere in the state and be able to access statewide and state controlled services as opposed to when it
was just council based. “This is a good step in terms of breaking down the stigma that often surrounds the debate around marriage and it’s a great way of saying there are alternate systems.”
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