Same-sex partners "not companions" / Concern over possible delays to same-sex law
This media release was issued by the Australian Coalition for Equality on 4.6.08.
Gay rights advocates have strongly opposed any attempt to badge same-sex couples as "interdependents" or companions.
During debate this evening on a Rudd Government law removing discrimination against same-sex de facto partners, Opposition leader, Brendan Nelson, flagged that the Coalition will attempt to amend the legislation to recognise companions, and possibly include same-sex partners within that category.
More...
Gov't move on gay couple super welcomed / Commitment sought on family law / In-principle support for recognition of 'companions"
This media release was issued by the Australian Coalition for Equality on 28.5.08.
Gay rights advocates have welcomed the Federal Government's first step towards removing financial discrimination against same-sex couples, with amendments to superannuation and government pension laws introduced today.
Australian Coalition for Equality spokesperson, Rodney Croome, said that the reforms have the support of the great majority of Australians and will have a positive impact on the lives of same-sex partners and their children.
"Same-sex couples will breath a sigh of relief because they will soon have the same level of financial security as their heterosexual counterparts in the event of retirement or death", Mr Croome said.
"We call on the private superannuation funds affected by this change to ensure they implement equal treatment for all couples as quickly as possible."
More...
Gays have high hopes for Bartlett / Giddings
This media release was issued by the TGLRG on 27.5.08.
Tasmanian gay activists have welcomed the appointment of David Bartlett to the office of State Premier.
Tasmanian Gay and Lesbian Rights Group spokesperson, Rodney Croome, said that Mr Bartlett, and his Deputy, Lara Giddings, have excellent records on social inclusion and human rights.
"We are hopeful Mr Bartlett will re-invigorate the legal and social reform program that characterised the early years of the current State Labor Government", Mr Croome said.
"We are confident he will be a premier for all Tasmanians."
More...
'Short on romance'
This letter to the editor was sent to the Australian newspaper on 26.5.08. An extract from the article by Christian Kerr to which the letters responds comes first.
(From 'Gay outcry, roos in the land of Grassby lovers', the Weekend Australian, May 24-25, p31)
Exciting (the new ACT registry) may be, but it can also come up a little short on romance. Couples wishing to register their relationship have four options to choose from. Two of these are simply over-the-counter transactions: pay $192.50, get the paperwork fixed and that’s it.
They can go down the path of a full commitment ceremony with a civil celebrant, but that will give them no further legal standing. The process effectively offers nothing but a statutory declaration.
*
Letters to the Editor
The Australian
Dear Editor,
In his recent commentary on the new ACT civil partnerships scheme, Christian Kerr mischaraterises this scheme in a way which illustrates a broader misunderstanding in Australia about what constitutes a civil union.
Partnership certificates, as they are currently issued in Tasmania, the ACT or soon Victoria, are not as Kerr claims "effectively statutory declarations".
More...
Former Family Court chief calls on Rudd Gov't to broaden gay reform proposal
This media release was issued by the Australian Coalition for Equality on 22.5.08.
One of Australia's most senior former judges has written to the Federal Government urging it to allow same-sex couples access to the Family Court, and to recognise state civil union registries in federal law.
Professor Alastair Nicholson, who is the former Chief Justice of the Family Court, has appealed to the Government on the eve of the introduction of reforms which will give equal financial and workplace entitlements to same-sex de facto partners.
"As a long-time supporter of equal legal treatment for same-sex couples and their families, I want to see the Government's proposed reform remove as much discrimination as possible", Professor Nicholson said.
More...
Criticism of national same-sex law reform slated / Benefits of recognition will far outweigh costs
This media release was issued by the Australian Coalition for Equality on 19.5.08.
The Australian Coalition for Equality says that the Federal Government's proposal for removing discrimination against same-sex relationships in national law will bring wide ranging financial benefits to same-sex partners.
ACE spokesperson, Rod Swift, was responding to claims by the Coming Out Proud Program that reform will impose a financial cost to partners without any gain in symbolic recognition through a national civil union scheme.
"Equality for same-sex de facto couples will mean financial benefits and entitlements in many different areas including Medicare, taxation, pensions and superannuation", Mr Swift said.
More...
McClelland "wrong" on Tasmanian registry / Feds must answer hard questions on marriage
This media release was issued by the TGLRG on 1.5.08.
Academics and activists have slammed Attorney-General, Robert McClelland, for what they say is "misrepresentation" of the Tasmanian relationship registry, and for using it to dodge the same-sex marriage debate.
In his dispute with the ACT Government over gay partnerships, Mr McClelland has endorsed the Tasmanian registry as a preferable model to the ACT's proposed civil partnerships scheme because the former "registers existing relationships" rather than "creating new ones through a ceremony", something advocates for the Tasmanian scheme say is wrong.
More...
Rudd Gov't move against same-sex bias welcomed / Call on Opposition to support reform
This media release was issued by the Australian Coalition for Equality on 30.4.08.
Gay rights advocates have welcomed a Federal Government commitment to begin removing discrimination against same-sex de facto couples within months, and have called on the Opposition to "get behind" reform.
Federal Attorney-General, Robert McClelland will today announce that legislation removing discrimination in areas including superannuation and aged care will be introduced in the winter session of Parliament, with a delayed implementation in areas like social security and veterans affairs to be completed by mid 2009.
More...
Tas Gov't challenged to rule out church exemption from anti-bias law
This media release was issued by the TGLRG on 27.4.08.
Tasmanian gay activists have called on the State Government to rule out any new exemptions for religious organisations in the state Anti-Discrimination Act.
The call has been prompted by fears the Government is set to release a report recommending the Act be watered down to allow religious schools to discriminate against students who are from a different religious background.
More...
Passage of Vic partner registry welcomed / Call on Federal Government to recognise state relationships
This media release was issued by the TGLRG on 10.4.08.
Tasmanian gay activists have welcomed the Victorian Parliament's enactment of a civil union registry modelled on Tasmania's.
Tasmanian Gay and Lesbian Rights Group spokesperson, Rodney Croome, said that the Tasmanian registry has allowed same-sex and other couples the practical benefit of proving their relationship status if challenged, and the symbolic benefit of official recognition.
"The Tasmanian civil union registry is not a substitute for same-sex marriage, but an alternative that is based on the principles of recognising diversity in relationships, and allowing partners to decide for themselves how they access relationship entitlements and with whom", Mr Croome said.
More...
| PREV page | NEXT page |