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The project was officially supported by the Federation of Ethnic Communities’ Council of Australia, the Equal Opportunity Commission Victoria, the Ethnic Communities’ Council of Victoria, the Islamic Council of Victoria, the Islamic Girls’ and Women's Group, the Centre for Multicultural Youth Issues, the Victorian Immigrant and Refugee Women’s Coalition and Goulburn Ovens Institute of TAFE. The…

Questions to consider: Using scenarios based on true stories of racial and religious discrimination and abuse under the themes of human rights, negative stereotyping and misconceptions, the hypothetical will ask the panellists ‘How would you respond’? This addresses the sets of standards policy and decision makers use to respond to incidents of discrimination and abuse.

The Unlocking Doors Project was a series of forums, workshops and consultations conducted by the Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission throughout 2006, which brought Muslim peoples and communities in New South Wales and Victoria into a dialogue with Police. This dialogue sought to strengthen Muslim peoples’ relationship with law enforcement agencies and build on the capacity of the…

A community guide to the National Inquiry into Discrimination against People in Same-Sex Relationships: Financial and Work-Related Entitlements and Benefits

The same-sex partner of a federal government employee is denied access to certain superannuation and workers’ compensation death benefits available to an opposite-sex partner.

All persons are equal before the law and are entitled without any discrimination to the equal protection of the law. In this respect, the law shall prohibit any discrimination and guarantee to all persons equal and effective protection against discrimination on any ground...

This chapter explains how the provisions of international human rights treaties protect same-sex couples and their children, in the context of accessing financial and work-related entitlements. In particular, this chapter focuses on the right to non-discrimination on the grounds of sexual orientation. It also describes how the breach of that right can interfere with a range of other basic human…

It is simple to remove discrimination against same-sex couples in laws conferring financial and work-related benefits: amend the definitions describing a couple to include same-sex and opposite-sex couples alike.

Protecting the best interests of a child is one of the most important principles of international law and the Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC) in particular. This chapter focuses on whether federal law currently protects the best interests of a child being raised by lesbian or gay parents.

back to Contents Chapter 6. Employment Download Chapter 6: [ PDF] [ Word ] 6.1 What is this chapter about? 6.2 How are employment conditions established for Australian workers? 6.3 Can same-sex and opposite-sex couples access the same leave entitlements? 6.4 Do federal government employees in same-sex and opposite-sex couples enjoy the same work conditions? 6.5 Are same-sex couples protected…

Same-sex couples are not eligible for a range of rebates and tax concessions available to opposite-sex couples. This means same-sex couples may end up paying more tax than opposite-sex couples because tax legislation does not recognise their relationship.

Social security is an income support system that acts as a safety-net for people who, for some reason, are unable to financially support themselves. Entitlements to social security are largely governed by the Social Security Act 1991 (Cth) (Social Security Act) and the A New Tax System (Family Assistance) Act 1999 (Cth) (Family Assistance Act). The payments are usually administered by Centrelink.

This chapter focuses on discrimination regarding the entitlements available to veterans of the Australian Defence Forces who have a same-sex partner or children.

Same-Sex: Same Entitlements Report back to Contents Chapter 11 Health Care Costs Download Chapter 11: [ PDF] [ Word ] 11.1 What is this chapter about? 11.2 Does Medicare and PBS legislation recognise same-sex families? 11.3 Can a same-sex family access Medicare Safety Net benefits? 11.4 Can same-sex families access the PBS Safety Net? 11.5 Do same-sex families face problems in accessing…

The issue of divorce never arises for same-sex couples, since they cannot legally marry. However, a same-sex couple, like an opposite-sex de facto couple, may need the assistance of a court to resolve property and child-related issues if their relationship breaks down.

Superannuation is one of the main ways of saving for retirement. It is designed to provide financial security for individuals and their families in retirement; or when a person dies unexpectedly.

back to Contents Chapter 14. Aged Care Download Chapter 14: [ PDF] [ Word ] 14.1 What is this chapter about? 14.2 Do same-sex couples pay more for aged care? 14.3 What other issues face ageing same-sex couples? 14.4 Does aged care legislation breach human rights? 14.5 How should aged care legislation be amended to avoid future breaches? 14.1 What is this chapter about? This chapter examines …

Many same-sex couples who appeared at the Inquiry’s community forums talked about the problems they face in getting visas. They highlighted the limited options available to a same-sex couple wanting to migrate to Australia as a couple. They talked about the additional expense and disruption to their lives in proving their entitlement to a visa. And they talked about the indignity of being…

back to Contents Chapter 17. Additional Issues: Homophobia and Gender Identity Download Chapter 17: [ PDF] [ Word ] 17.1 What is this chapter about? 17.2 What did the Inquiry hear about homophobia in the community? 17.3 What did the Inquiry hear about discrimination on the basis of gender identity? 17.1 What is this chapter about? Organisations and individuals raised a range of issues with…

The following chapter summarises the findings and recommendations made in each of Chapters 4 – 16 in this report. This chapter should be read in conjunction with Appendix 1 which sets out the list of legislation to be amended in order to eliminate discrimination against same-sex couples and their children.