ALP mayoral candidate Ray Smith has promised to implement a same-sex relationships register for Brisbane City Council if he’s elected at this month’s local government elections.

Smith made the pledge at a community forum at the Wickham Hotel last night which also hosted candidates for Brisbane’s Central Ward from the Greens, Australian Sex Party and Liberal National Party (LNP).

Smith said the policy was in response to a likely repeal of civil unions by the new LNP state government.

Earlier this month, Queensland Attorney-General Jarrod Bleijie sought legal advice from his department, canvassing all available alternatives including a full or partial repeal of the state’s civil union laws.

Smith’s pitch to the community also included a pledge to establish an LGBTI reference committee and action plan within city council, a $30,000 annual grant to the Brisbane Pride Festival and a promise to sign the Declaration of Montreal on LGBTI human rights.

He’ll go up against incumbent LNP Lord Mayor Graham Quirk at the polls next week.

Quirk was criticised by local activists in March for approving the controversial anti-gay prayer rally – featuring the now infamous ‘hate truck’ – in Brisbane’s King George Square.

The 2012 Queensland local government elections will be held on Saturday, April 28.

Source: StarOnline