The Queensland parliament on Wednesday voted 47-40 to pass into law a bill recognising and legalising same sex civil unions.

The bill introduced by Deputy Premier Andrew Fraser allows gay couples to register their union with the Queensland Registry of Births, Deaths and Marriages.

"This bill merely but not meekly seeks to formally recognise relationships which have existed in Queensland for centuries," Fraser told Parliament, according to Adelaide Now. "It provides them with the opportunity to celebrate their commitment and their love for one another in a ceremony in front of friends and family, perhaps this is its most important feature."

Premier Anna Bligh supported the passage of the bill telling MPs it was the priority of any government to fight discrimination. She met activists supporting the bill outside the parliament and promised them passage of the bill.

MPs who opposed the bill complained that there was not enough public consultation done as the bill was introduced only on Oct. 25.

Liberal National Party (LNP) and opposition legal affairs spokesman Jarrod Bleijie accused Fraser of trying to woo votes early for next year's parliamentary elections and labeled the passage of the bill as a stunt.

"We do not believe the people of Queensland have had the appropriate opportunities to raise their concerns," Adelaide Now quoted Bleijie as saying. "Civil partnership is not on a priority list in the minds of Queenslanders. The passing of this bill will not save Queenslanders money, it will not ease cost of living pressures, it will not get our triple-A credit rating back."

Among those who voted against the bill were Health Minister and Labor MP Geoff Wilson, Capalaba MP Michael Choi, Gladstone independent MP Liz Cunningham, Independent member for Nanango Dorothy Pratt and Labor MP Albert Margaret Keech.