Australian Capital Territory Civil Unions Legislation

The majority voted against a motion introduced by Senator Kerry Nettle also on behalf of Senators Joe Ludwig and Natasha Stott Despoja.

The motion was: "That the instrument made by the Governor-General on 13 June 2006 under subsection 35(2) of the Australian Capital Territory (Self-Government) Act 1988, disallowing the Civil Unions Act 2006 (ACT), be disallowed."

This motion would have disallowed the federal government’s intervention in the ACT Civil Unions Act 2006, when the Federal Executive Council told the Governor-General to disallow the Act.(Read more about the Act and the federal government's intervention here. )

Liberal Party Senator Gary Humphries rebelled against his party as he crossed the floor to vote 'aye' with the Opposition.(Read more about what it means to be a rebel in our FAQ Section. )

Background to the motion

The Civil Unions Bill 2006 was introduced "to provide a scheme for two people, regardless of their sex, to enter into a formally recognised union (a civil union) that attracts the same rights and obligations as would attach to married spouses under Territory law."(Read more in the explanatory statement that is available here. ) This bill was passed in the ACT Legislative Assembly on 11 May 2006.(Learn more about the passing of the ACT Bill here on the ABC's PM Program.)

References