Civil Partnerships
On 30 November 2011, the Queensland Parliament passed the Civil Partnerships Act 2011which provides for a couple, regardless of their sex, to have their relationship legally recognised.
The new law will come into effect on 23 February 2012. This means that the earliest date couples can legally recognise their partnership in Queensland and the Commonwealth will be on 5 March 2012 (allowing for the 10 day cooling off period.)
What is a civil partnership?
A civil partnership is a new way of formally recognising a committed relationship between a couple. A civil partnership may be entered into by two adults who meet the eligibility criteria, regardless of their sex.
The relationship is legally recognised in Queensland and the Commonwealth once it is registered at the Registry of Births, Deaths and Marriages.
What is the legal effect of registering a civil partnership?
Registration of a civil partnership will provide you and your civil partner with proof of the existence of the relationship.
As a civil partner you will not have to provide any further proof that your relationship exists. This will make it easier for you to prove your relationship for things like superannuation, tax and government welfare payments.
This new type of relationship will be recognised in other Queensland and Commonwealth laws such as the Anti-Discrimination Act 1991 (Qld), Duties Act 2001 (Qld), First Home Owner Grant Act 2000 (Qld) and Family Law Regulations 1984 (Cwlth).
In Australia, New South Wales, Victoria, Tasmania and the Australian Capital Territory have similar laws that recognise civil partnerships. Please note however, a civil partnership registered in Queensland may not necessarily be recognised by jurisdictions other than Queensland and the Commonwealth. This will depend upon whether the jurisdiction has legislation which recognises a civil partnership registered in Queensland.
“A Civil Partnership Ceremony” needs to be performed by a Civil Partnership Notary.
I am in the process of applying for this appointment.