In a big, somewhat strange step forward, the Australian Capital Territory — an inland enclave in New South Wales that is the country’s smallest self-governing internal territory — became Australia’s first territory to allow civil unions between same-sex partners. Thing is, the bill bars heterosexual partners from entering into the civil unions:
Under the new laws, gay couples will be able to hold a legally recognised civil union ceremony in the Australian Capital Territory (ACT), home to the nation’s parliament.
The region’s legislators approved the bill on Wednesday, moved by the ACT Greens party, after an amendment banning heterosexual couples from being recognised under the system.
The amendment means the law will not go against national legislation that says civil unions must not mimic marriage.
“We understand that this is not same-sex marriage,” said Greens MP Shane Rattenbury, who drafted the bill.
“This legislation is another step along the road to full equality for same-sex couples in Australia, and we are delighted that the assembly has passed it today,” he added.
That road is kinda winding, isn’t it?
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