Australian State Moves Closer To Gay Partner Registry

[davidinalameda]

http://www.365gay.com/Newscon08/03/031408oz.htm

Legislation to create a domestic partner registry for same-sex couples in Victoria state has swept through the lower house of Parliament on a 54 - 24 vote.

The bill now goes to the state upper house for final approval.

The measure does not go as far as a bill in the Australian Capital Territory that would allow civil unions, but is close to the existing registry in Tasmania.

The Victoria government says the partner registry will provide limited rights for same-sex couples and is a matter of fairness. The opposition calls it "marriage light" and will lead to the legalization of same-sex marriage.