On the 30th of April 2008, the Federal Government announced that current financial inequities between same-sex couples and heterosexual couples in Australia will finally be rectified. The areas of inequality include superannuation schemes, social security, veterans’ entitlements, workplace relations, workers’ compensation, taxation, health and immigration and citizenship.
The Rudd Government went to the last election with a promise to provide financial equality to same-sex couples and now it seems they have made good on that promise. Of course, you can only please some of the people some of the time. Within hours of this announcement, my partner and I were contacted by a range of lesbian parents who were both angry and fearful about losing their single parenting payment as well as another group of people who were fuming because they were not yet allowed the true equality of marriage.
I understand both of these views and I have sympathy for those couples who are going to lose large amounts of money. However, the reality is that the single parenting payment is intended for single parents and if we’re part of a couple with joint responsibility for raising children, then that money is not ours to have in the first place. I think it’s important for all of us to look beyond our own four walls when thinking about these changes. Until now, my partner and I have also claimed single parenting payment to offset the double expenses we have had in other areas, but we would much prefer equality in all areas than a personal win in one. For example, that elderly couples will now have their family home treated in the same way as opposite-sex couples for assessment when they require a place in a nursing home is a much bigger justice than the injustice of us having to give up our parenting payment.
Couples with children will have potential gains in superannuation, taxation, health (eg Medicare Safety-Net), so there will be swings and roundabouts and the Government has said that they won’t introduce ‘disadvantageous’ legislation until next year to give people time to adjust their finances accordingly.
Most of the legislative changes are expected to take effect on July 1, 2009 with the exception of Medicare and Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme Safety Nets (January 1, 2009) and Fringe Benefits Tax (April 1, 2009).
Relationship equality, however, is a separate issue that still needs to be fought for. Quizzed again on the ABC recently over his stance on same-sex marriage, Kevin Rudd replied, ‘Frankly, what I think or don’t think is irrelevant. What is relevant is what we took to the last election.’ And what Labor went to the last election with was a promise that marriage would remain between a man and a woman.
But to say, equality in all other financial areas is worthless without the right to marriage is shortsighted. Equal marriage in Australia will come, but it won’t come without a long, drawn-out fight and that fight needs as many people to help as possible – so if you’re someone who believes in the right to choose to marry – get on board the bus.
You can even take a seat (almost) wherever you want.
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HAVE YOUR SAY: Should gay and lesbian couples be happy about the federal reform, even if it leaves them worse off financially?
