Fed: Gay rights improved in range of areas: McClelland

AAP General News (Australia)
04-30-2008
Fed: Gay rights improved in range of areas: McClelland

CANBERRA, April 30 AAP - Attorney-General Robert McClelland says gay people will gain
equality in a wide range of areas in society under proposed laws.

Legislation to remove same-sex discrimination from a wide range of commonwealth laws
will be introduced in the winter sittings of parliament, he said.

"The changes will provide for equality of treatment under a wide range of commonwealth
laws between same-sex and opposite-sex de facto couples," Mr McClelland said in a statement.

"Importantly, the reforms will also ensure children are not disadvantaged because of
the structure of their family.

"Areas where discrimination will be removed include tax, superannuation, social security,
health, aged care, veterans entitlements, workers compensation, employment entitlements,
and other areas of commonwealth administration."

Mr McClelland said the reforms were long overdue and followed the landmark report of
the Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission entitled Same-Sex: Same Entitlements,
which focussed on financial and work-related legislation.

He said the reforms would also ensure children are not disadvantaged because of the
structure of their family.

"Most reforms will commence soon after the legislation is passed," he said.

"In some areas, such as social security, tax and veterans affairs, the reforms will
be phased-in to allow time for couples to adjust their finances, and for administrative
arrangements to be implemented.

"All of the changes are expected to be implemented by mid-2009."

Mr McClelland said that, in keeping with the government's election commitment, the
changes would not alter marriage laws.

"They will make a practical difference to the everyday lives of a group of our fellow
Australians who have suffered discrimination under commonwealth laws for far too long,"

he said.

AAP dep/cmc/jlw

KEYWORD: GAY MCCLELLAND

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