Media Statement - 4th September 2008
Attorney-General Robert McClelland today introduced the second stage
of legislation removing same-sex discrimination from a range of
Commonwealth laws.
The amendments will remove discrimination in areas including social security, taxation, Medicare, veteran’s affairs, workers’ compensation, and educational assistance.
“The changes will provide for equality of treatment under a wide range of Commonwealth laws between same-sex and opposite-sex defacto couples. Importantly, the reforms will ensure children are not discriminated against because of the structure of their family.”
“The changes will make a practical difference to the lives of a group of our fellow Australians who have suffered discrimination for far too long.”
In areas such as social security and taxation, the reforms will be phased in to allow time for couples to adjust their finances and for administrative arrangements to be implemented.
All changes are expected to be implemented by mid-2009.
Earlier this year, the Rudd Government introduced legislation to end same-sex discrimination in Acts governing Commonwealth superannuation schemes.
Mr McClelland said, “I urge the Coalition to make good their stated support for these long-overdue reforms, by backing them in the Senate.”
A list of Commonwealth Acts proposed to be amended by the Bill is provided below:
The Bill will amend the following Commonwealth Acts to achieve this purpose:
Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry
- Australian Meat and Live-stock Industry Act 1997
- Farm Household Support Act 1992
Attorney-General
- Acts Interpretation Act 1901
- Administrative Decisions (Judicial Review) Act 1977
- Age Discrimination Act 2004
- Australian Federal Police Act 1979
- Bankruptcy Act 1966
- Crimes Act 1914
- Crimes (Superannuation Benefits) Act 1989
- Customs Act 1901
- High Court Justices (Long Leave Payments) Act 1979
- Judges (Long Leave Payments) Act 1979
- Passenger Movement Charge Collection Act 1978
- Proceeds of Crime Act 2002
- Service and Execution of Process Act 1992
- Sex Discrimination Act 1984
- Witness Protection Act 1994
Broadband, Communications and the Digital Economy
- Australian Postal Corporation Act 1989
- Broadcasting Services Act 1992
- Telstra Corporation Act 1991
Defence
- Defence Force (Home Loans Assistance) Act 1990
- Defence (Parliamentary Candidates) Act 1969
- Royal Australian Air Force Veterans’ Residences Act 1953
Education, Employment and Workplace Relations
- Education Services for Overseas Students Act 2000
- Higher Education Support Act 2003
- Judicial and Statutory Officers (Remuneration and Allowances) Act 1984
- Safety, Rehabilitation and Compensation Act 1988
- Seafarers Rehabilitation and Compensation Act 1992
- Student Assistance Act 1973
Families, Housing, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs
- A New Tax System (Family Assistance) Act 1999
- A New Tax System (Family Assistance) (Administration) Act 1999
- Aboriginal Land Grant (Jervis Bay Territory) Act 1986
- Corporations (Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander) Act 2006
- Social Security Act 1991
Finance and Deregulation
- Commonwealth Electoral Act 1918
- Medibank Private Sale Act 2006
- Members of Parliament (Life Gold Pass) Act 2002
- Parliamentary Entitlements Act 1990
- Superannuation Act 1976
Foreign Affairs and Trade
- Australian Passports Act 2005
- Export Market Development Grants Act 1997
- Trade Representatives Act 1933
Health and Ageing
- Aged Care Act 1997
- Health Insurance Act 1973
- National Health Act 1953
- Prohibition of Human Cloning for Reproduction Act 2002
- Research Involving Human Embryos Act 2002
Immigration and Citizenship
- Australian Citizenship Act 2007
- Immigration (Education) Act 1971
- Immigration (Guardianship of Children) Act 1946
- Migration Act 1958
Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government
- Airports Act 1996
- Civil Aviation (Carriers’ Liability) Act 1959
- Navigation Act 1912
Innovation, Industry, Science and Research
- Pooled Development Funds Act 1992
Prime Minister and Cabinet
- Privacy Act 1988
Treasury
- A New Tax System (Medicare Levy Surcharge—Fringe Benefits) Act 1999
- Corporations Act 2001
- Fringe Benefits Tax Assessment Act 1986
- Financial Sector (Shareholdings) Act 1998
- Foreign Acquisitions and Takeovers Act 1975
- Income Tax Assessment Act 1936
- Income Tax Assessment Act 1997
- Insurance Acquisitions and Takeovers Act 1991
- Life Insurance Act 1995
Veterans’ Affairs
- Defence Service Homes Act 1918
- Military Rehabilitation and Compensation Act 2004
- Veterans’ Entitlements Act 1986