ࡱ> 576` ubjbjss 7"u> =,$ih*  c6  0= x0 =$& 31 May 2006 [Details removed] Dear HREOC Thank you for the opportunity to make a public submission to the National Inquiry into Discrimination against People in Same Sex Relationships: Financial and Work-Related Entitlements and Benefits. I am a 42 year old woman, working full time as an Office Manager/Secretary for the same company for 11 years, I am in a committed relationship with my (same-sex) partner of 10 years and we are raising a child together, my biological son aged 28 months. I believe that to achieve full legal equality all Federal legislation should have terms such as spouse, partner, dependent, family and couple redefined to include same sex partners and, where relevant, their children. I believe that Commonwealth legal recognition of same sex relationships including families parented by same sex partners would have a positive impact on my relationships, family life, productivity at work and financial security, among other areas of my life. I have experienced discrimination in the context of: MY WORKPLACE LEAVE ENTITLEMENTS My (same-sex) partner suffers a long term debilitating illness and as I am the sole wage earner in our household/family it is very difficult for me to take time off to care for her. On those occasions when I do need to stay home to care for her, to take her to doctor appointments, or to the hospital, I have to use my annual leave as she is not legally recognized as my partner, therefore I am not entitled to carers leave. Our family is at a financial disadvantage because of this. In addition, using my annual leave in this way means I am left with less days off to spend with my family on happier occasions like holidays, which leaves me more exhausted than I would like. HEALTH CONCESSIONS My family is unable to fully utilize the Medicare safety-net as my (same-sex) partner and I are not able to be listed as one family, on one card. This puts our family at a financial disadvantage compared to legally recognized families when it comes to our annual spending on medical bills. SUPERANNUATION ENTITLEMENTS I have yet to experience discrimination in the context of Superannuation entitlements, but I am worried that my (same-sex) partner may do so in the future, should something happen to me. I am worried about her inability to receive a lump sum or pension benefit upon my death. Her, and our sons, financial security should I die is something that weighs heavily on my mind. Although I do have a Will, Im worried this may not be enough. There are other areas of discrimination under State Law that affect my family: That my (same-sex) partner as the non-legally recognised parent of our son; Could not be placed on the birth certificate Cannot provide consent to medical treatment Cannot provide permission to attend a school excursion Yet, she is the parent at home during the day and therefore the one most likely to take our son to a doctor or the hospital in an emergency, as I am 1 1/2 hours public-transport travel time away at work. That my son: Cannot automatically benefit from the estate of his non-legally recognised parent upon her death if she should die interstate (not that she intends to!) Cannot receive entitlement to superannuation benefit from his non-legally recognised parent Cannot receive entitlements to Workcover payment in the event of the death of his non-legally recognised parent (should she ever be well enough to work again). In addition to eliminating discrimination against same-sex partners in committed long term relationships, I adamantly believe that the Commonwealth and State laws should eliminate discrimination against all children and parents based on their family type and relationship status. I applaud the Victorian laws replacement of the concept of de facto spouse with the concept of domestic partner for both same-sex and heterosexual couples, but I do not think it fair that my inability to legally marry my same-sex partner means I would have to prove in court or to an administrative body that I am indeed in a domestic partnership. It is about time all Australian citizens had equal rights. 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