Canberra plans gay civil unions

CANBERRA - Gay civil marriages are set to become a reality in Australia after years of lobbying from the homosexual community, with the Australian Capital Territory introducing same-sex civil union legislation.

Gay couples in Canberra could be holding ceremonies to have their relationships formally recognised as early as the middle of the year, said Jon Stanhope, the state's Chief Minister.

"The new laws will give same-sex couples functional equality under ACT law with married couples," he said.

Stanhope's Labor Party has a majority in the one house ACT Parliament and expects to pass the legislation in May.

The ACT is the first territory or state in Australia to introduce legislation to legalise gay civil unions.

Prime Minister John Howard and the Catholic Church oppose gay marriages, and national laws do not recognise same-sex unions.

Gay and Lesbian Rights Group spokesman Rodney Croome welcomed the ACT legislation, saying gay couples deserved the right to have their relationships affirmed by society.

- REUTERS