Last week, the Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission (HREOC) published their findings from a national inquiry into the discrimination against people in same-sex relationships, writes CPSU deputy National President Lisa Newman.
The report Same-Sex: Same Entitlements details the systematic discrimination of same-sex couples. It found that 58 federal laws deny at least 20,000 same sex couples and their children financial and work related entitlements, entitlements that are freely available to opposite-sex couples and their children.
We expressed our concern at the increased push for terms and conditions to be moved from highly transparent and legally enforceable collective agreements into less transparent and unenforceable policy.
We also identified that the increased use of Australian Workplace Agreements (AWA's), which are not subject to public scrutiny, could increase the risk of discriminatory arrangements.
Last week, the Government announced a Senate Inquiry into the provision of the Superannuation Amendment Bill. The Bill does establish a number of changes to Commonwealth public sector superannuation which the CPSU supports.
However, if a few additional simple amendments to the Bill were introduced, it would be possible to prevent same-sex couple discrimination entirely and the CPSU will raise these in the Inquiry.
After the HREOC report was published, the Prime Minister stated that while his government did not support discrimination, it would not be rushed to act to rectify the situation.
The report Same-Sex: Same Entitlements details the systematic discrimination of same-sex couples. It found that 58 federal laws deny at least 20,000 same sex couples and their children financial and work related entitlements, entitlements that are freely available to opposite-sex couples and their children.
These laws include Commonwealth Superannuation, Occupation Health and Safety legislation as well as a large number of Acts including the Income Tax Assessment Acts, Social Security Act, Health Insurance Act and Workplace Relations Act.
In July last year the CPSU made a submission to the HREOC enquiry, addressing the use of the 'spouse' definition in agreements, awards and legislation which excludes same sex partners from accessing entitlements.
We expressed our concern at the increased push for terms and conditions to be moved from highly transparent and legally enforceable collective agreements into less transparent and unenforceable policy.
We also identified that the increased use of Australian Workplace Agreements (AWA's), which are not subject to public scrutiny, could increase the risk of discriminatory arrangements.
CPSU's submission also exposed the discriminatory provisions in the Commonwealth Superannuation Scheme and the Public Sector Superannuation Scheme which do not allow an interdependent person, including a same sex partner and their children to receive a reversionary superannuation benefit.
Last week, the Government announced a Senate Inquiry into the provision of the Superannuation Amendment Bill. The Bill does establish a number of changes to Commonwealth public sector superannuation which the CPSU supports.
However, if a few additional simple amendments to the Bill were introduced, it would be possible to prevent same-sex couple discrimination entirely and the CPSU will raise these in the Inquiry.
This Bill is the Government's last opportunity to address Superannuation discrimination before the Federal election and they need to do it right.
After the HREOC report was published, the Prime Minister stated that while his government did not support discrimination, it would not be rushed to act to rectify the situation.
CPSU has formally raised these issues on behalf of affected members many times over the last few years. We support the fair treatment of all parts of the community, and do not condone the discrimination of any minority group.
And it seems that most Australians agree. A recent galaxy poll, commissioned by GetUp! found that 71% of Australian support equality for same-sex couples.
The community has moved forward on this issue. The question is how long will it take the federal government to catch up?
4 comments:
Thank you CPSU for supporting the rights of all your members, including those in same sex relationships!
I hope you will continue to agitate to get the HREOC report recommendations implemented.
Regards
Kate
Hi guys
just want you to know me and my partner are in the same boat.
I have now worked for the commonwealth Government for over 20 years and when I went to
change my super under the new Commonwealth laws for Superannuation last year to put my ptr David could
be named as a interdependant was told quite simply "Dont bother we dont take same sex couples as interdependant".
If I want my super to go to my partner I have to write it out in my will saying he is to get it. Thats great
but what if someone contests my will. If my relatives contest the will what does my partner get nothing if he
loses the case. I dont want my relatives to get my Superannuation as the monies I have built up belong to my partner David
after putting up with me for all those years. We have been together now for over 5 years and we had a committment ceremony
only recently but as far as the Commonwealth Government is concerned I am still single and they dont care.
Under current laws my super has to go to my next of kin which is my mother at present if I dont have a will but what if
she passes away I have to give it to my brothers and sister who I havent spoken to for over 20 years. I think the
legislation at present for Commonwealth Super sucks.
My partner was able to put me as his interdependant on his private Superannuation with his company AXA. I thank the
lord that some companies have done the right thing as far as same sex couples rights are concerned.
Can't understand why so many of my fellow hetero's feel so threatened by same sex relationships.
Completely at a loss to work out what the problem with treating people as full citizens actually is.
It's bigotry and nothing more.
This really isn't good enough. I seem to recall several years ago the Democrats intoduced a bill to remove descrimination against gays and lesbians in commonwealth legislation. It languished in parliment for as long as it took to expire and both major parties let it happen. I do not want to have to vote for the Democarats to be treated as a full citizen of this country. We pay more than our fair share of taxes but we are still treated as second class. Some of us are raising families, and some of us are happy enough to be uncles and aunts to our siblings and friends children. Whatever. All we want is to be treated fairly and have our relationships properly recognised. We love our partners just as much as heterosexuals, so why are we still treated like shit?
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