'Historic' Canberra forum tackles same-sex reform

This LGBT media release was issued by the Australian Coalition for Equality on 28.7.08.

Federal Government agencies have met with members of the gay and lesbian community to discuss same-sex couple law reforms.

The meeting, last Wednesday, was convened by the Attorney-General's Department to thrash out technical legal matters and discuss how reform will be implemented.

Australian Coalition for Equality spokesperson, Corey Irlam, described the forum as "historic".

"This is the first time known that so many federal government agencies have collectively consulted with the gay and lesbian community”, Mr Irlam said.

"We are hopeful this may be the start of regular, official liaison between our community and the Federal Government.”

“Wednesday’s meeting was a historic first step on the path to open two-way communication on issues faced by our community at a national level."

The meeting discussed a wide range of issues to ensure all provisions discriminating against same-sex partners are captured by the reform process.

Education of public servants, private organisations and the LGBT community about the impact of reform was also on the agenda.

Attendees included representatives of 15 Federal Government agencies, LGBT legal and human rights experts Wayne Morgan, Miranda Stewart and Jamie Gardiner, and representatives of ACE, the NSW Gay and Lesbian Rights Lobby, the Victorian Gay and Lesbian Rights Lobby, the Tasmanian Gay and Lesbian Rights Group.

“It is difficult to provide detailed advice to the Department without seeing a draft of the legislation”, Associate Professor Miranda Stewart of University of Melbourne Law School said.

“However discussing the issues and raising possible solutions and hurdles is a great first step.”

The meeting followed lobbying from a number of LGBTI groups for an Attorney-General's ministerial advisory council on LGBTI issues. At Wednesday's meeting, community representatives called on the Government to consider broader consultation in the future. They also called for inclusion of representatives from the bisexual, transgender and intersex communities.

For more information contact Corey Irlam on 0401-738-996.

A photo of community members and members of the Attorney-General's department is available by request to Corey.Irlam@coalitionforequality.org.au