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GLBT activists are concerned that the same-sex superannuation reforms announced by the Rudd government last week might be further delayed if the Coalition pushes for a Senate Committee inquiry this week.
Fairfax reported that Shadow Attorney-General George Brandis would push for the Coalition to use its Senate majority to delay the legislation, intended to be passed in the Senate by July 1, back to September.
In a note sent to a constituent, seen by SX, Brandis wrote: “the Coalition supports the legislation in principle, however has reservations about certain aspects of it which do not go to the essential point of eliminating discrimination. Ordinarily, one would expect legislation of this kind to be referred to a Senate Committee, which is not the same thing as rejecting it”.
Gay and Lesbian Rights Lobby (GLRL) co-convenor, Peter Johnson said that “bundling” same-sex couples as interdependents denies them equal recognition to heterosexual de facto couples, by equating them with carer and sibling relationships.
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 interdependents rather than spouses.
“If the issue of recognising interdependent couples will hold up super reform, then I’d much rather the issue of interdependency be dealt with in the next round of reforms,” Croome told SX.
The Coalition has a majority in the Senate until late August, after which senators elected in last November’s election will take their seats.
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