Gay Couples Get Financial Equality
The Federal Government is introducing legislation into parliament that will give gay couples the same rights as de facto heterosexual couples in terms of taxation, superannuation, social security and aged care. However, the government stops short of legally recognising gay couples as one of their election promises was not to introduce same-sex marriage. Yes, you heard that right, to pander to the homophobic Christian voters, the government promised never to legalise same-sex marriage.
Now, I am happy that Lelak and I will finally be recognised as a couple for our 2009 tax return instead of having to file as two separate individuals. We may actually get a decent tax return. However, I am pissed off that the Rudd government won’t grow a pair of balls and introduce civil unions for gay and straight couples. Come on, Kevin Rudd, make some ground breaking legislation and give gay couples legal recognition. Call it a civil union so that you can keep your promise of not legalising same-sex marriage, it is just a name. All I want is the same right afforded every other citizen in this country and that is to have my relationship legally recognised and respected. I am sick of living like a second class citizen in my own country.
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April 30th, 2008 at 7:43 pm
Hear hear!
I find it ridiculous that gay couples can legally live together, have sex, have children… but are denied the ability to make a legal commitment to each other. It’s as though we’re saying, “Yeah, have fun, whatever… but for God’s sake, don’t settle down and act responsibly, or we’ll have to change our views!”
Pfffft.
The only thing I can agree with the anti-same-sex-marriage lobby on is that churches shouldn’t be forced to marry couples who they don’t think can be legitimately married in God’s eyes. But why the hell would the govt try to legislate them like that? It doesn’t seem at all likely. OH - that’s right, without that argument there’s not much of a case, is there?
Naomis last blog post..Bored
April 30th, 2008 at 8:00 pm
I came across your blog on Technorati. Nice site layout. I will stop by and read more soon.
Mike Harmon
April 30th, 2008 at 8:00 pm
Naomi, it hasn’t been that long since homosexuality was decriminalised in Australia . It was decriminalised in NSW in 1984 whilst in Tasmania it took until 1991.
Also some states like Victoria do not allow lesbians to access IVF services and NSW is just about to introduce legislation that recognises the rights of the non-biological lesbian parents, however, non-biological gay male parents still are not recognised. Also it is illegal in all states, except WA for gay and lesbian couples to adopt children. So Australia still has a long way to go in letting gays and lesbians to legally have children.
April 30th, 2008 at 8:13 pm
Hmmm… true. I didn’t mean that it isn’t.
Naomis last blog post..Bored
May 2nd, 2008 at 12:40 am
Sounds like they’re taking baby steps toward this. Good luck with the new legislation - I sure hope it passes!
Jeffs last blog post..Some call it coincidence, we call it destiny
May 3rd, 2008 at 12:08 pm
Jeff, they are definitely baby steps but at least they are heading in the right direction.