One Step Closer To Equality For Same-Sex Couples
While Australian gay rights activists and the gay community in general have welcomed the introduction of new legislation ending discrimination against same-sex couples, the Opposition has accused Labor of trying to legalise polygamy.
The Same-Sex Relationships (Equal Treatment in Commonwealth laws – General Law Reform) Bill 2008 was introduced into Federal Parliament yesterday and seeks to remove discrimination against same-sex couples that currently exists in immigration, taxation, veterans’ pensions and aged care.
“We welcome the bipartisan spirit shown for reforms in this area. Last year’s GetUp! poll showed more than 70% of Australians support same-sex de facto equality. With this legislation, parliament has finally caught up with community attitudes,” said Peter Johnson, GLRL Co-Convenor.
The legislation follows through with Labor’s commitment to reform on the advice of last year’s Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission report that recommended the amendment of 58 laws which were found to discriminate against same-sex families and their children.
Human Rights Commissioner Graeme Innes has spoken positively about the new legislation.
“I welcome these changes, which will provide economic equality for same sex couples throughout Australia,” he said. “I congratulate the Rudd Government for honouring its election commitment to removing discrimination against people simply because of who they love.”
However, some within the Federal Opposition have accused Labor of legalising polygamy.
“The third person in an extramarital relationship can effectively claim the assets of a marriage or of the long-term de facto relationship,” Liberal MP Sophie Mirabella told the Herald Sun.
Gay rights activist Rodney Croome accused the Coalition of undermining the value of de facto relationships.
“This is an ideological attack on the rights and protections all de facto couples have enjoyed for more than a generation in both state and federal law,” said Croome.
“It’s a fact of life that in some de facto relationships one partner may still be married, at least on paper, and that unless such de facto relationships have some legislative protection the unmarried partner is legally and financial vulnerable, especially if their de facto relationship breaks down.”
Croome has urged the Federal Government to do all it can to make sure the bill is passed.
“The Government’s initiative is about giving equal protection to de facto partners no matter what their personal circumstances, and we strongly urge both the Government and the Senate not to cave in to the Opposition’s prejudices.”
The NSW Gay and Lesbian Rights Lobby have said they will use funding from Sydney City Council to inform Sydney’s same-sex couples of their new rights and responsibilities under the legislation and have called for the Federal Government to educate the rest of Australia.
“We call on the Government to fund a comprehensive public campaign to educate lesbians and gay men about their new rights and responsibilities under the law, and ensure all Commonwealth service providers do not discriminate against same-sex couples and their children”, said Lobby co-convenor Emily Gray.
While the introduction of this legislation is a huge step forward, many believed the defeat of the Howard government in 2007 would lead to the 2004 law banning same-sex marriage being overturned. Prime Minister Kevin Rudd, however, has maintained his stance that marriage is between a man and a woman.
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FarrahFoursteps
said on the 6th Sep, 2008