Civil union changes rushed through in Qld

QUEENSLAND: The Queensland government is rushing controversial changes to same-sex unions through parliament, including renaming them registered relationships.

The changes will do away with state sanctioned ceremonies for same-sex couples and couples who want to end their relationships won’t have to go through a divorce-style process in the courts.

They can simply de-register their relationship by applying to Births, Deaths and Marriages.

Gay rights campaigners have turned to Twitter to suggest the watering down of the laws have made the process akin to registering a pet dog.

Premier Campbell Newman has faced dissent from some within his own party, who had wanted the Civil Partnerships Act repealed in its entirety.

But Mr Newman refused to do that, instead rushing through amendments in a bill that when passed when be known as the Registered Relationships Act.

Parliament will debate the changes on Thursday.

The government is already facing a wave of criticism and accusations it’s rolled over to satisfy the Christian lobby.

Rights campaigners have turned to Twitter to vent their anger, saying they are utterly disgusted by the changes.

“I marry (or wed) my beloved. I register my dog,” one wrote.

“Registered relationships … next you get a little plastic tag to wear and an ear tattoo,” wrote another.

The government has said it wants to remove aspects of same-sex unions that mimic marriage.

Mr Newman has said that has upset the Christian community, and was behind the decision to remove state sanctioned ceremonies.

But in a nod to Christians concerned about the other end of the process, when relationships are dissolved, Attorney-General Jarrod Bleijie has raised concerns that a court process to end same-sex unions may appear too similar to divorce.

“These provisions could be seen to equate to the legal procedure to dissolve a marriage,” he told parliament when introducing the bill on Wednesday night.

Labor MP Jackie Trad used Twitter to describe Mr Bleijie’s stance as “just unbelievably heartless”.