Equality bulletin #71
This Equality bulletin was published by the TGLRG on 12.9.08
Hi Everyone,
This Equality Bulletin includes an action alert on the current Senate
inquiry into same-sex couple entitlements.
The deadline for submissions is Monday afternoon. Apologies for the lateness
of this notice.
Rodney Croome
0409 010 668
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Senate inquiry into same-sex entitlements
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The Senate Legal and Constitutional Affairs Committee is currently
conducting its latest, and largest, inquiry into same-sex couple
entitlements.
The inquiry is examining the Federal Government’s Same-Sex Relationships
(Equal Treatment in Commonwealth Laws—General Law Reform) Bill 2008.
This Bill removes discrimination against same-sex partners in a wide range
of federal laws. For a complete list visit
www.rodneycroome.id.au/other_more?id=2794_0_2_0_M18
The Australian Coalition for Equality and the NSW Gay and Lesbian Rights
Lobby have both prepared notes to help you make a submission to the inquiry.
These notes can be found below.
First there is the NSW GLRL model submission. It focuses on support for the
Bill.
Second is the ACE model submission. It focuses on some of the areas which
require attention and/or improvement.
Please take a few moments to send in a submission, including your own
personal story if possible.
Please also note that submissions close this coming Monday September 15th
(apologies for the late notice).
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Model submissions
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~ From the NSW Gay and Lesbian Rights Lobby
To: legcon.sen@aph.gov.au
Re: Inquiry into Same-Sex Relationships (Equal Treatment in Commonwealth
Laws General Law Reform) Bill 2008
Dear Committee Secretary,
I would like to make a submission in support of the Same-Sex Relationships
(Equal Treatment in Commonwealth Laws – General Law Reform) Bill 2008.
[Insert your personal story of discrimination; why you support the Bill; or
how the Bill will impact you, your partner or your children]
This Bill will ensure that same-sex couples and their children will be
afforded equality in practical entitlements that most Australians take for
granted. No Australian should experience discrimination simply because of
who they love or the sexuality of their parents. Therefore, I fully support
the inclusion of same-sex couples and families in various “de facto”,
“family” and “child” definitions in federal law.
Along with equal rights and benefits, aspects of the reforms will also
impose new responsibilities on same-sex couples in areas such as social
security. I strongly believe that there should be an extensive public
education campaign to ensure all lesbians and gay men are adequately
prepared for the changes. This campaign should also ensure Commonwealth
service providers and professionals who are administering the new laws are
aware of the changes and do not discriminate against same-sex couples and
their children.
This Bill is a welcome and overdue opportunity in Australia’s history to
correct a long standing injustice. I look forward to seeing these reforms
passed through Parliament as soon as possible.
Yours sincerely,
[Your name]
[Your number]
[Your postal address]
***
~ From the Australian Coalition for Equality
Committee Secretary
Senate Legal and Constitutional Affairs Committee
Department of the Senate
PO Box 6100
Parliament House
Canberra ACT 2600
Email: legcon.sen@aph.gov.au
Re: submission to the inquiry into the Same-Sex Relationships (Equal
Treatment in Commonwealth Laws—General Law Reform) Bill 2008
Dear Committee Secretary
I strongly support the Same-Sex Relationships (Equal Treatment in
Commonwealth Laws—General Law Reform) Bill 2008.
Regarding this Bill, I draw the Committee’s attention to the following
points.
1. Interdependent relationships should not be included in this particular
Bill. Removing discrimination against same-sex couples in federal law has
been investigated by several inquiries and widely debated in the community.
In contrast, the legal recognition of of interdependent relationship raises
a number of social, legal and financial issues which have not been subject
to public debate. Interdependent relationships should be recognised
separately and only after thorough consultation and consideration.
2. State and territory registered civil partnerships should be given equal
recognition. In this Bill, partners in state or territory registered civil
partnerships are recognised as a type of de facto partner. This is
inappropriate because partners who register a relationship choose to no
longer be considered a de facto couple. We urge registered civil
partnerships to be recognised in their own right as a separate category of
relationship, alongside married and de facto relationships.
3. Children in families headed by same-sex couples must be protected
equally. The Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission, together with
your Committee, has recommended the recognition of non-biological parents in
same-sex relationships across federal law, including in areas such as family
law and child support. I support this recommendation.
4. The Government has created a new term, “relationship parent”, to describe
non-biological same-sex parents in the areas of social security and
taxation. Without the changes in point 3, this implies that a non-biological
parent in a same-sex relationship is different or less than the
non-biological parent in an opposite sex relationship. It is in the best
interests of the child that both of their same-sex parents are recognised
equally before the law.
5. The changes to federal law proposed in this Bill impose a raft of new
rights and responsibilities on same-sex couples. In order for same-sex
couples and their families, NGOs, service providers, professionals, and
government agencies to be adequately prepared for these changes, it is
important for an extensive education campaign to be prepared and implemented
by the Federal Government.
please delete this highlighted text)>
As one same-sex partner told the HREOC inquiry into same-sex entitlements,
”I am a first-class taxpayer but second-class citizen”. This encapsulates
why removal of discrimination against same-sex couples warrants full support
of the Senate.
Yours sincerely
Full Name:
Phone Number:
Address:
Please ensure you provide your full name, phone number and address with your
submission. If you do not, your submission may be deemed invalid. Please
delete this highlighted text.
Steps:
1. Fill in your personal story on page 1 of this word document. In your own
words explain how recognition of same-sex couples will have a positive
impact on your lives and those around you. If you have experienced
discrimination before please share your story.
2. Feel free to add points underneath each of the inquiry headings or more
generally under the 3 inquiries heading.
3. Include your full name, phone number and address at the bottom of the
email
4. Delete all highlighted text in this document
5. Email the word document to legcon.sen@aph.gov.au or print the letter and
send to the address stated above.