Laws introduced to the ACT Assembly today allow for same-sex and opposite-sex couples to enter into a civil union, which will have the same recognition as marriage in the ACT.

But while Tasmania gives homosexuals rights in making decisions about their partner's health, access to their partner's public sector pensions and allows the adoption of their partner's biological child, it does not give the full suite of rights that the ACT laws propose.

The historic ACT laws were hailed in some quarters but got a lukewarm reception from federal Labor, which is still considering whether to support civil unions.

Tasmanian Gay and Lesbian Rights Group spokesman Rodney Croome said that same-sex couples deserved the right to have their relationships affirmed by society.

"The Stanhope government's proposed civil union scheme is an important step towards a society in which all inter-personal love, care and commitment is valued," he said.

"Inevitably we will see same-sex couples travelling to Canberra to have their unions solemnised and returning home expecting and demanding equal recognition and protection for their relationships."

Liberal backbencher Warren Entsch, whose electorate of Leichhardt in northern Queensland supports a large gay tourism industry, backed the ACT laws, saying he hoped other states would follow suit.

At the same time, there was an overwhelming majority who were very supportive of fair treatment and non-discriminatory treatment for gay couples.

"The problem we have is that whenever we talk about equality or recognition of civil unions, there's a fear something about marriage will slip in.

"Labor are in the process of looking at various models of formal relationship recognition for same-sex couples and we are keen to look at models that are being developed in the states and territories," he said.

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