From PFLAG in brisbane
*************************************
AUSTRALIAN COALITION FOR EQUALITY
M E D I A R E L E A S E
***************************************
For immediate release: Fri 23 Feb 2007
***************************************
MARDI GRAS A REMINDER TO FIX SAME-SEX COUPLE LAWS.
Still no reforms a year after poll found most Australians support equality.
The Australian Coalition for Equality (ACE) says next week’s Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras is a timely reminder that same-sex couples still face inequality and financial discrimination in Federal law and these laws should be fixed.
ACE also says Mardi Gras marks a year on from a landmark Newspoll showing that the Howard Government is at odds with a majority of Australians, who indicated they want the Federal Government to fix discrimination against same-sex couples.
The Newspoll survey found a majority of 52.5 per cent supported formalised recognition of same-sex couples in federal law, while 36.6 per cent opposed such reform.
ACE spokesperson Rod Swift said that same-sex couples and their families have suffered yet another year of financial and social disadvantage.
“Despite all the spectacle and mirth at next weekend’s Mardi Gras parade, it is a timely reminder that same-sex couples are still disallowed full enjoyment of the human rights that heterosexuals take for granted,” Mr Swift said.
“Last year the Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission conducted an inquiry into the gross levels of discrimination faced by same-sex couples and their families, and we expect the report to detail shocking levels of unwarranted discrimination that needs fixing.”
“Mardi Gras should be a wake-up call to all Australians that the Howard Government can fix many of the inequalities by amending laws where de facto heterosexual couples are recognised to include same-sex couples too.”
“And it’s another reminder the Howard Government still hasn’t honoured its promise from 2004 to fix superannuation laws for Commonwealth public servants.”
Meanwhile, ACE has welcomed the results of a new GLBTI community survey by the NSW Gay and Lesbian Rights Lobby (NSW GLRL) which has found strong support for federal law reforms, including extending marriage rights to same-sex couples.
This brings NSW GLRL into line with other state lobbies on Federal law reform models.
“Lobby groups from each state now agree that there are many ways to fix the problems in recognising same-sex couples in both Federal law and under the laws of the different states and territories,” Mr Swift said.
“This can be achieved easiest by removing the bar on same-sex couples from marrying, as has been done in many other countries around the world.”
“Other options include creating civil unions recognised by both state and federal governments, or by amending de facto couple laws to cover same-sex couples and their families.”
“It’s time the states, territories and the Federal Government worked towards a common framework for recognising non-marital couples from other jurisdictions.”
MEDIA COMMENT:
Rod Swift 0417 890 111 [email protected]
[ends]
|