Federal government plans to 'remove discrimination' against same-sex couples
Australia's federal government has announced today that it plans to rush legislation into Parliament next month to change 100 pieces of Commonwealth legislation to 'remove discrimination' against same-sex couples.
The proposed changes give benefits including tax, superannuation, social security, health, aged care, veterans entitlements, workers compensation, employment entitlements.
Attorney General Robert McClelland said that marriage would not be included in the proposed changes. (Media release link below)
The finance to cover these changes to the law will be provided in the May budget. The estimate of the cost is said to be up to $400 million over four years.
This incredible move by the government gives same-sex couples changes to an additional 42 laws over and above the 58 proposed by the Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission in their 2007 report.
Liberal leader Brendan Nelson told ABC radio, "Whilst we will steadfastly oppose gay marriage, gay adoption and gay IVF, we will carefully scrutinise the proposals being put up by the government, and if they are affordable and reasonable we will certainly be providing support to them."
The truth is that these areas relate to homosexual 'couples', not to individual homosexuals.
Changing all of these laws and giving this range of benefits to same-sex couples is not not passive removal of 'discrimination'.
It is active endorsement of homosexual relationships....
We oppose the endorsement of homosexual relationships that will result by making these changes to the law.
Prior to the election we noted Labor party policies prior to the election, so we have been expecting this announcement. However the rush to get it through so quickly has taken most commentators by surprise. Of course the Senate changes at the end of June and this may be a factor in the timing.
Your ACTION is needed!
Write to PM Kevin Rudd - ask him not to pursue these changes to Commonwealth law. See his website contact form at http://www.pm.gov.au/contact/index.cfm
Write to Liberal leader Brendan Nelson. Ask him not to support these changes to the law. Ask him to allow a conscience vote for MPs. Email - B.Nelson.MP@aph.gov.au
Write to your federal MP - click here to get their name and contact details - http://www.saltshakers.org.au/html/P/13/B/82/
Write to your 12 state Senators - click here for details:
http://www.aph.gov.au/senate/senators/homepages/index.asp?sort=state
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The Attorney General's Media Release:
RUDD GOVERNMENT MOVES ON SAME-SEX DISCRIMINATION - 30 April 2008
http://www.attorneygeneral.gov.au/www/ministers/robertmc.nsf/Page/MediaReleases_2008_SecondQuarter_30April2008-RuddGovernmentmovesonsame-sexdiscrimination
HREOC Report: 'Same sex - same entitlements'
Index at http://www.hreoc.gov.au/Human_RightS/samesex/report/index.html
Media Articles
Laws to lose same-sex discrimination
The Australian, April 30, 2008
"THE Federal Government is changing a raft of laws to remove same-sex discrimination. Attorney-General Robert McClelland said gay people would gain equality in the move. "The changes will provide for equality of treatment under a wide range of commonwealth laws between same-sex and opposite-sex de facto couples," Mr McClelland said.....
At http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,25197,23621388-12377,00.html
McClelland repeats gay marriage opposition
ABC, 30 April 2008.
At http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2008/04/30/2231128.htm?section=business
ABC News interviews
With Robert McClelland and Brendan Nelson also available at http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2008/04/30/2231128.htm?section=business
Law reforms for gay couples
The Age, Misha Schubert, April 30, 2008
"GAY couples in Australia are on the verge of winning equality in tax, health, superannuation, aged care and other areas as the Federal Government moves to rush through laws to overturn same-sex discrimination. The Age believes Attorney-General Robert McClelland will announce today that he will introduce amendments to Parliament as early as next month to alter around 100 federal laws. The changes will not allow gay marriages or same-sex couples to adopt children, and the issue of access to the Family Court for same-sex couples is still being resolved...."
http://www.theage.com.au/news/national/reforms-for-gay-couples/2008/04/29/1209234861987.html
'Winners and losers' in new gay laws
The Australian, April 30, 2008
At http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,25197,23621817-5013871,00.html
(Mrs) Jenny Stokes
Research Director
SALT SHAKERS
PO Box 6049, Wantirna, Victoria, 3152
Ph (03) 9800 2855
Mobile: 0413 084 146
Email: jenny@saltshakers.org.au
Web: www.saltshakers.org.au |
