Australian Capital Territory Passes Same-Sex Unions Law

http://www.365gay.com/Newscon06/05/051106oact.htm

Same-sex couples in the Australian Capital Territory will be able to have civil unions under legislation passed Thursday by the Legislative Assembly.
It is the broadest legislation affecting gay and lesbian couples in the country, stopping just short of offering full marriage.

When ACT Chief Minister Jon Stanhope first proposed civil unions he said they would mirror civil partnerships in the United Kingdom. The announcement was met with a threat by the federal government to enact a bill nullifying the ACT legislation.

What finally passed the Assembly was only moderately amended but Stanhope said he believes it meets all of the objections of Prim Minister John Howard's government.

with howard in drivers seat --it's amazing that even that happened.