|
Rachel Cook
The Liberal Party
has claimed they are not homophobic despite ‘vowing’ to delay any changes in
law reform to end discrimination for same-sex couples.
Last week, Queensland
Senator George Brandis called for a Senate inquiry into the proposed legislative
changes that would see same-sex couples gain the right to inherit their partner’s
superannuation or death benefits.
Brandis said he
wanted the bill amended so that interdependent couples (such as two elderly
sisters living together) are also included.
Opposition leader Dr
Brendan Nelson backed Brandis’ push for the inquiry, telling Parliament’s Lower
House that “it is more important that this be done properly, than it be
done immediately,” before adding that he saw no parallels between “permanent
domestic same-sex” relationships and marriage.
“The Opposition does
not accept that there is either a legal or a moral equivalency between such
relationships and that of marriage,” Nelson said.
Shadow Treasurer Malcolm
Turnbull argued that even if the law reforms are delayed, the Government should
backdate the legislation so that “people who are concerned that they might die,
or their partner might die before this becomes the law of the land: that
concern can be set aside and the parliament can focus on getting the
legislation right.”
However, Attorney General Robert McClelland told MCV that this would be of little
benefit to people needing the reforms immediately.
“There are significant practical and legal issues that prevent
making payments to the same-sex partner of a deceased member of a Commonwealth
(defined benefit) superannuation scheme until the Bill is passed,” McClelland
said.
“When you are talking about reversionary benefits, you are usually
talking about a fortnightly or at least a monthly pension payment. Backdating
this access won’t help anyone meet their day-to-day financial commitments.”
In response to the Coalition’s proposed Senate inquiry, gay rights advocates
delivered a letter to Brendan Nelson on Tuesday, seeking a commitment from the
Liberal Party to publicly commit to recognising same-sex couples as defacto
relationships.
The letter also seeks clarification this will be separate from interdependent
relationships, and also seeks a firm commitment that any Senate inquiry, debate
and voting will be completed by June 26, 2008.
The Victorian Gay and Lesbian Rights Lobby (VGLRL) told MCV they had been contacted by a retired
RAAF Wing Commander (who cannot be identified), who, due to poor health, is
concerned his partner will not receive his death benefits if he dies before the
legislation is passed.
“I face an uncertain life span and a deep concern that my partner of
20 years will not be recognised in a humane manner, due simply to this petty
deferment of well-intended legislation,” the retiree said.
According to an informed source who spoke with MCV: “Another problem arises where there are a number of parties
potentially entitled to a deceased’s reversionary benefit, for example where a
deceased has a former spouse from a previous heterosexual relationship and also
a partner from a homosexual relationship.
“In this case, the former spouse of the previous heterosexual
relationship would receive the entire reversionary benefit prior to the change
of law.”
 |
Show/Hide comments
Show/Hide comment form
