Rudd Government fails to act on same-sex bias

This media release was issued by the Australian Coalition for Equality on 22.2.08.

Gay rights advocates have questioned the Rudd Government's commitment to removing legal and financial discrimination against same-sex couples, following its introduction of legislation which fails to recognise same-sex partners in veteran's pensions, social security entitlements and taxation.

Australian Coalition for Equality spokesperson, Rod Swift, said that recognition of same-sex partners in those laws currently before Parliament would be a perfect opportunity for the Federal Government to act on its stated commitment of removing such discrimination.

"Both the United Nations Human Rights Committee and the Australian Human Rights Commission have identified discrimination in veteran's entitlements as one of the major areas requiring government action", Mr Swift said.

"Removing discrimination against the same-sex partners of military veterans is an urgent reform because of the age and financial vulnerability of many of the people concerned."

"We call on the Government to stand by its pre-election promise to end discrimination by acting wherever and whenever it can, and we call on the minor Senate parties to ensure fairness if the Government won't."

In 2003 the UN Human Rights Committee found that Edward Young, the same-sex partner of an Australian WWII veteran, had been discriminated against when he was denied a pension upon his partner's death.

Last year the Human Rights Commission found that there are 58 areas of federal law in which same-sex couples face discrimination.

Already this year the Federal Government has failed to acknowledge same-sex partners in its first home buyer's scheme and in amendments to aged care legislation.

For more on same-sex discrimination visit www.hreoc.gov.au/
human_rights/samesex

For more information contact Rod Swift on 0417 890 111.