Gay and lesbian couples in Queensland are one step closer to civil unions with the Government's announcement today that the Civil Union Legislation will come into effect from the 23rd of February, meaning the first civil partnerships can take place from the 5th March after the mandatory ten day waiting period from the time the papers are lodged.

Deputy Premier Andrew Fraser, who introduced the legislation to Parliament late last year, made the announcement at a press conference in Rosalie where he described the occasion as “a proud day for Queenslanders who support equality.”

“This is a day that has been long in the making for many Queenslanders and it's an important day in out history as we look to the future,” Fraser said.

“We know that the truth of human relationships are out there and it's about time that our laws reflected them. That's why this got support on the floor of the Parliament and it's why it's had support in the community.”

Proud PFLAG mum Kathy Kirkwood was overjoyed by the news, and was eager to express her gratitude to the Government.

“As a parent of a gay son and a member of PFLAG, we are grateful that Andrew has taken the lead in introducing this civil union legislation,” Kirkwood told QNews.

“It means that if my son chooses, he can have his relationship legally recognised in his home state. He will not be seen as a second class citizen.”

The issue of when civil unions might come into effect has been a hot topic of late with QNews taking countless enquiries in recent weeks from couples eager to start planning dates for a ceremony. This allows Queensland's 360,000 gay and lesbian people to enjoy protection from the law that other Queenslanders enjoy, particularly during times of hospitalisation death and disaster.

LNP leader Campbell Newman, whose party unanimously voted against Civil Unions has previously said that the LNP would find it difficult to repeal the legislation if couples had already had their relationships recognised, however the Deputy Premier is calling on Mr Newman to make his position definitively clear before the election on 24 March.