Civil unions a hit with potential pollies

A Sydney Star Observer election survey of candidates in seats with significant gay and lesbian populations has revealed a strong vote for civil unions.

The survey sought the personal views of inner-city and upper house candidates on gay and lesbian issues which may arise as conscience votes in the next NSW parliament.

Every respondent, including cabinet member Carmel Tebbutt, supported recognising same-sex relationships with state-based civil unions.

The Greens promised to introduce a civil unions bill as part of their gay and lesbian legislative priorities announced on Monday.

Responding to the survey feedback, Lee Rhiannon said she was pleased so many candidates said they would support the reform.

Hopefully the Labor candidates will keep their word and push the party machine to support the Greens bill on civil unions, Rhiannon said.

Labor has resisted to date and the proof will be in the pudding after the election.

The SSO survey also found support for extending deemed parental rights to the same-sex partner in IVF births.

Presently only Western Australia and the ACT allow both same-sex parents to be identified on a birth certificate.

The Gay and Lesbian Rights Lobby will not be endorsing any party in this election, instead joining with ACON to query the parties and offer voters a scorecard of how each party’s policies rate.

The results of the Lobby and ACON survey will be available on both their websites from next week.

Voters in the seat of Sydney will have further grounds to choose their candidate as the Sydney Gay and Lesbian Business Association holds a meet the candidates dinner on 21 March.

The candidate from each party and the sitting independent Clover Moore will debate the issues in what has become a tradition for the inner-city gay and lesbian constituency.

The SGLBA dinner will be held in the Times on the Park restaurant at the Sheraton on the Park Hotel on Wednesday 21 March, 6:30pm. Bookings can be made on 8354 1556.

The full SSO election survey can be read online.