Mersey Hospital entitlements

These letters were sent by the TGLRG to state and federal health ministers on 1.11.07.

Rodney Croome and Jen Van Achteren
Spokespeople
Tasmanian Gay and Lesbian Rights Group

Hon Tony Abbott
Minister for Health

re: the Prime Ministerial Decree on entitlements for Mersey Hospital employees

Dear Mr Abbott,

Employees of the Mersey Hospital who are in same-sex relationships have contacted the Tasmanian Gay and Lesbian Rights Group to express concern about their entitlements should the Commonwealth assume control over their workplace.

In the Tasmanian public sector, employees in same-sex relationships have equal rights, and their partners equal recognition, in areas such as superannuation and leave entitlements.

This is not generally the case for employees of the Commonwealth.

The employees who have contacted us wish to clarify whether the Prime Ministerial Decree on Mersey Hospital entitlements ensures they will not suffer a decline in workplace entitlements under their prospective employer, the Commonwealth.

In particular they and we would like to know,

1. Does the Prime Ministerial Decree on Mersey Hospital entitlements recognise same-sex partners of Mersey Hospital employees for the purposes of superannuation pension and death benefits, leave entitlements and other workplace conditions?

2. If not, what provision will the Commonwealth make to ensure that Mersey Hospital employees in same-sex relationships do not lose these entitlements, if and when they become Commonwealth employees?

3. If so, a) does the Decree recognise same-sex partners as de facto parters or as interdependent partners, b) what is your Government's timetable for extending these entitlements to other Commonwealth employees, and c) if you have no intention of extending these entitlements, what justification does your Government have for discriminating against some Commonwealth employees but not others?

Thank you for your time and we look forward to your reply.

Yours Sincerely,
Rodney Croome and Jen Van Achteren.

***

Rodney Croome and Jen Van Achteren
Spokespeople
Tasmanian Gay and Lesbian Rights Group

Hon Lara Giddings
Minister for Health

re: the Prime Ministerial Decree on entitlements for Mersey Hospital employees

Dear Ms Gididngs,

Employees of the Mersey Hospital who are in same-sex relationships have contacted the Tasmanian Gay and Lesbian Rights Group to express concern about their entitlements should the Commonwealth assume control over their workplace.

As you are aware, in the Tasmanian public sector employees in same-sex relationships have equal rights, and their partners equal recognition, in areas such as superannuation and leave entitlements.

This is not generally the case for employees of the Commonwealth.

The employees who have contacted us wish to clarify whether the Prime Ministerial Decree on Mersey Hospital entitlements ensures they will not suffer a decline in workplace entitlements under their prospective employer, the Commonwealth.

In particular they and we would like to know,

1. Does the Prime Ministerial Decree on Mersey Hospital entitlements recognise same-sex partners of Mersey Hospital employees for the purposes of superannuation pension and death benefits, leave entitlements and other workplace conditions?

2. If not, what provision will the Commonwealth make to ensure that Mersey Hospital employees in same-sex relationships do not lose these entitlements, if and when they become Commonwealth employees?

3. If so, a) does the Decree recognise same-sex partners as de facto parters or as interdependent partners, b) what is the Commonwealth Government's timetable for extending these entitlements to other Commonwealth employees, and c) if it have no intention of extending these entitlements, what justification does it have for discriminating against some Commonwealth employees but not others?

We would be very grateful if, during your negotiations with the Commonwealth over the transfer of the Mersey Hospital, you could raise our concerns with your Commonwealth counterpart.

We would also be grateful if you could seek to ensure that your current employees do not suffer as a result of becoming employees of another government.

Thank you for your time and we look forward to your reply.

Yours Sincerely,
Rodney Croome and Jen Van Achteren.