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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.

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.

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…

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.

The Inquiry received submissions from 680 different individuals and organisations. Some provided submissions in response to both the first and second round discussion papers.

The Inquiry Team: Vanessa Lesnie, Kate Temby, Susan Newell, Samantha Edmonds, Kate Fitzgerald, Emily Gray, Frances Simmons, Alessandra Krilis, Jemma Hollonds, Avril Cox

This Inquiry was an extension of the original National Inquiry into the Human Rights of People with Mental Illness, the report of which was tabled in Parliament in October 1993. The Inquiry was reconvened in Victoria because of particular concerns relating to that State which required further exploration.

Research and literature: This section summarises research that is relevant to each sub-issue. It should be noted the research included in the report is not an exhaustive literature review, but a summary of the research that was presented to the Commissioner during the Listening Tour.

Woman of the World - Know Your International Human Rights Preface What are human rights? What is the United Nations? The UN: Protecting the rights of woman What is CEDAW Australia's signing of CEDAW A guide to the rights in CEDAW CEDAW and the Sex Discrimination Act The Optional Protocol to CEDAW What about Beijing? What can you do: The public sphere What can you do: Private actions…

back to contents It's ºÚÁÏÇ鱨վ Time - Launch Liz Broderick (Blake Dawson Waldron), Wendy Harmer, the Hon. John von Doussa QC Charles 'Bud' Tingwell AM, Wendy Harmer, the Hon. John von Doussa QC , Liz Broderick (Blake Dawson Waldron) the Hon. John von Doussa QC, President HREOC Wendy Harmer Charles 'Bud' Tingwell AM People at the launch 29 January, 2008 .

Back to Voices of Australia Voices of Australia - Resource sheet 5 [Download PDF or Word] Protection of human rights in Australia Key words Federal system : a political system in which governmental power is shared between a central or federal government having power over the whole country, and regional governments having power over their respective regions. The Australian federal system…