TWO of Redland City's three state MPs will vote to restore state-sanctioned civil partnership ceremonies when the issue is put to the vote next week when parliament sits for the final time this year.
The government plans to follow through with a proposal, made in September, to restore the ceremonies for straight and same-sex couples.
MPs will vote on reinstating the civil partnership ceremonies, abolished by the Newman government in 2012.
In Queensland, couples of any sex can register their relationship with Births, Deaths and Marriages but the union is not recognised as a marriage, which is a federal legislative issue.
Under the proposed legislation, to be brought by Attorney-General and Justice Minister Yvette D'Ath, adult couples of any gender will be able to hold a civil partnership ceremony prior to registering their relationship.
Liberal National Party MPs have the latitude to decide whether to reinstate the ceremony based on their conscience.
Party leader Lawrence Springborg gave his team a free vote and the right to decide for themselves at a party room meeting this month.
There were a range of views held by LNP MPs and Mr Springborg couldn't say which way the majority would vote.
Capalaba MP Don Brown (ALP) and Redlands MP Matt McEachan (LNP) will vote with the government on the Bill, first presented in September by Justice minister and Attorney-General Yvette D'Arth.
But Cleveland MP Mark Robinson said he would vote against the Bill.
Mr McEachan said he believed any couple in a committed and loving partnership ought to be able to have their relationship recognised by the state.
Mr Brown said the Bill overturned the LNP’s attack on equality.
"The LNP tried to belittle and hide public recognition of same-sex couple relationships," Mr Brown said.
"This Bill is about doing what is fair, and supporting the equality and dignity of all."
Mr Robinson said he would vote against the Bill as he believed it was a federal issue and should be decided after a federal plebiscite.
He reiterated Mr Springborg's sentiments on the vote.
"There are a myriad of views from those that support the current laws, those that support the proposed changes by the government, those who just think it's a stunt and those that believe that we shouldn't be touching this issue until after the plebiscite on same-sex marriage," he said.
"I will vote against restoring civil unions because I support current laws that allow same-sex and straight couples to register their relationship, giving them total legal recognition.
"I would prefer to see the Australian people making this decision by way of a plebiscite and then it's resolved once and for all ... but different people have different views and I respect that," he said.
