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?
