Green partner bid reminds Gov't "reform is urgent" / Support for federal recognition of state relationships

This media release was issued by the TGLRG on 12.3.08.

Gay activists have welcomed a move by the Australian Greens to highlight continued discrimination against same-sex partners.

Today the major parties voted against a Green amendment to laws governing veterans pensions which would have allowed equal entitlements for same-sex partners.

Tasmanian Gay and Lesbian Rights Group spokesperson, Rodney Croome, said that although the Greens' amendment failed it reminds the Federal Government that reform is urgent, particularly for elderly and retired same-sex partners.

"When elderly or retired same-sex partners fall foul of discrimination in areas like superannuation, pensions and aged care, their lives can be devastated", Mr Croome said.

"If the Government cares about these vulnerable Australians it will act as quickly as possible."

Mr Croome also welcomed Green support for the full and equal recognition of state-recognised relationships in federal law.

"When partners enter a recognised relationship at a state or territory level they make a deliberate decision to no longer be in an informal, de facto relationship. This decision should be respected in federal law with the automatic granting of full relationship entitlements", Mr Croome said.

Mr Croome rejected the option of only considering state-recognised relationships as proof of de facto status in federal law.

"If the Federal Government wants the states to adopt relationship registries it must support full and equal federal recognition of these registries."

The Green amendment giving full and equal status to state-recognised relationships is enclosed below.

The Victorian Lower House is expected to endorse a relationship registry for that state as early as today.

For more information contact Rodney Croome on 0409 010 668.


~ Today's failed amendment gave full and equal recognition to the following recognised relationships formalised at a state level...
"A recognised relationship means any relationship that is registered with a State or Territory Registry of Births, Deaths and Marriages under a State or Territory law allowing for the official registration of that relationship and includes but is not limited to relationships recognised as civil unions, civil partnerships, significant relationships, domestic relationships or relationships established through a Deed of Relationship. To avoid doubt, the requirements for beginning or ending any recognised relationship are to be determined by the relevant State or Territory law."