International Law

The Attorney-General Robert McClelland has announced that the government will introduce legislation to remove same-sex discrimination from a wide range of Commonwealth laws .

This reform follows the 2007 report of HREOC, Same-Sex: Same Entitlements, which focussed on financial and work-related legislation.  On coming to office, the Rudd Government commissioned an audit of Commonwealth laws, which identified other areas of discrimination.

Areas where discrimination will be removed include tax, superannuation, social security, health, aged care, veterans? entitlements, workers? compensation, employment entitlements, and other areas of Commonwealth administration.

The Rudd Government will begin introducing legislation in the Winter Sittings of Parliament. Most reforms will commence soon after the legislation is passed. In some areas (such as social security, tax and veterans? affairs), the reforms will be phased-in to allow time for couples to adjust their finances, and for administrative arrangements to be implemented. All of the changes are expected to be implemented by mid-2009.

The changes will not alter marriage laws.