FED: Gay group welcomes equal rights move

AAP General News (Australia)
04-30-2008
FED: Gay group welcomes equal rights move

CANBERRA, April 30 AAP - Gay rights advocates have urged the federal opposition to
get behind a government plan to begin removing discrimination against same-sex couples
within months.

Federal Attorney-General Robert McClelland today is expected to announce that legislation
removing discrimination in areas including superannuation and aged care will be introduced
in the winter session of parliament, with a delayed implementation in areas like social
security and veterans affairs to be completed by mid-2009.

Australian Coalition for Equality spokesperson Rodney Croome welcomed a fixed timetable
for reform, saying it would ease the burden on elderly and retired same-sex partners,
giving them certainty on their superannuation, aged care and pension entitlements.

"The recognition of same-sex de facto couples is long overdue and will bring Australian
national law into line with all Australia's states and territories and many other western
nations," Mr Croome said.

"We call on the coalition and its leader Brendan Nelson to extend full, bipartisan
support to the government's proposal so that it is not delayed in the Senate, and so that
a clear anti-discrimination message is sent to the Australian public."

He called on supporters of equality to continue to pressure the government to ensure
reform is as comprehensive as possible.

"Reform must extend to all federal family entitlements including Family Court access,
and it must ensure formally-recognised civil partners in Tasmania and Victoria have full
federal entitlements.

However, he added: "It is deeply disappointing that the government is not prepared
to accept equality in marriage, but I look forward to same-sex de facto law reform rekindling
the debate on why full legal and social equality is needed".

AAP cdh/apm

KEYWORD: GAY DAYLEAD

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