|
The Coalition is set to stall reforms allowing same-sex couples to inherit each other's superannuation.
The long awaited-reform, which was slated to take effect from July 1,
now faces a Senate inquiry to consider whether other forms of
interdependent relationships should also be included.
The Coalition's shadow cabinet will debate the issue today, and the caucus to follow suit on Tuesday, according to The Age newspaper.
Gay activists have previously stressed the urgency of the
superannuation component of the Rudd Government's same-sex reform
package.
Comsuper Action Committee convenor John Challis, 84, told SX he was “dismayed and appalled” by the potential delay.
“Many elderly and frail former Commonwealth Super recipients, who have
waited since 2004 when the Coalition first promised this reform, will
now have further anxiety and concern for the future welfare of their
same-sex partners,” Challis said.
“The interdependency principle which the Coalition wants to introduce
into the Bill was explicitly rejected by the HREOC Report because it
‘does not give full equality to same-sex couples’ and is a second rate
method of granting financial entitlements to same sex couples.
“It equates same-sex couples with carers,” he said.
However, Australian Coalition for Equality (ACE) spokesperson Rodney
Croome said he did not believe the Coalition would revert to the Howard
Government policy of recognising same-sex partners as interdependent
rather than spouses.
“What I understand is that this isn’t the Coalition saying same-sex
couples should be recognised as interdependents, but that
interdependents should be recognised as well,” Croome told SX.
“We have no objection to recognition of interdependent partners, as
long as it doesn’t hold up the process of recognising same-sex couples,
and as long as there are no unintended consequences for interdependent
partners, such as in social security.
“One solution is to allow interdependents to be recognised by state
relationship registers, and that’s an option I think the Coalition is
looking at.
“My hope is that if there is an inquiry it will be over and done with
very quickly. It’s a straightforward issue and there doesn’t have to be
a protracted debate.
The Coalition has a majority in the Senate until late August, after
which Senators elected in last November's "Ruddslide" will take their
seats in the red chamber.
Attorney-General Robert McClelland had hoped both houses would pass the
superannuation reform before parliament rises on June 26.
Picture Caption: John Challis (right) and partner Arthur Cheeseman.
 |
Subscribe to this comment's feed