04/29/2008
Australia to Offer Matching Rights, Not Marriage, to Gay Couples
Legislation to be introduced next month by the Rudd government will offer gay and lesbian couples a broad new set of rights, the Sydney Morning Herald reports today:
"The federal Attorney-General, Robert McClelland, will announce today that the necessary legislation will be introduced when Parliament resumes next month for the winter sittings. The measures do not amount to gay marriage; they afford gay couples the same treatment as heterosexual de facto couples in areas such as tax, superannuation sharing and social security...other areas to be reformed include health, aged care, veterans' entitlements, workers' compensation, employment and entitlements. 'In keeping with the election commitment, the changes do not alter the marriage laws,' Mr McClelland said. 'They will make a practical difference to the everyday lives of a group of our fellow Australians who have suffered discriminations under Commonwealth laws for far too long.' All the changes would be operational by the middle of next year; most will begin as soon as legislation is passed."
The legislation is expected to pass through the Senate easily.
Previously
Australian PM Kevin Rudd Says He Won't Overrule Civil Unions [tr]
Australian Voters Reject Howard, Elect Kevin Rudd Prime Minister [tr]
Posted 10:53 AM EST by Andy in Australia, Gay Rights, Kevin Rudd, News | Permalink
Comments
I wonder how straight people got married in Europe and the rest of the world before the spread of Christianity...and I wonder if they were even technically married (even if the word already existed) as the Baby Jesus weren't around way back then to make sure everything was all good and church-like. Call a spade a spade, jeez. It is what it is, but I guess it's good news anyway. :P
Posted by: Stefan | Apr 29, 2008 8:03:16 PM
Rudd (and Howard) made a pact with the christian lobby to keep the status of marriage as is - we have christians telling people what they can and can't do all because their god says so... even in 2008.
Jesus save us from your followers.
Posted by: Lou | Apr 29, 2008 11:33:31 PM
Perhaps we should also give these rights to those who fornicate with sheep, love trees, or wish to cohabit with minors. There are many other deviant behaviors we can give special allowances to, why should they be left out?
Posted by: Michael | Apr 30, 2008 12:27:41 AM
Michael, hatred is a deviant behavior, and we have already have plenty of special allowances for that one.
Posted by: Chris | Apr 30, 2008 1:15:30 PM
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