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14 December 2012Book page
Same-Sex : Terms of Reference
1. The President, Mr John William von Doussa QC, and the Human Rights Commissioner, Mr Graeme Gordon Innes AM, will conduct an inquiry (the Inquiry), on behalf of the Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission, into laws regarding financial and employment-related entitlements and benefits to consider the impact of those laws on: -
14 December 2012Book page
Same-Sex: Same Entitlements: Chapter 18
The following chapter summarises the findings and recommendations made in each of Chapters 4 – 16 in this report. This chapter should be read in conjunction with Appendix 1 which sets out the list of legislation to be amended in order to eliminate discrimination against same-sex couples and their children. -
14 December 2012Book page
Same-Sex: Same Entitlements: Chapter 5
Protecting the best interests of a child is one of the most important principles of international law and the Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC) in particular. This chapter focuses on whether federal law currently protects the best interests of a child being raised by lesbian or gay parents. -
14 December 2012Book page
Same-Sex: Same Entitlements: Chapter 6
Employment is fundamental to the lives of Australian families. For many individuals, work is their major activity outside the home, and ensures their family’s financial security. -
14 December 2012Book page
Same-Sex: Same Entitlements: Glossary
Same-Sex: Same Entitlements Report back to Contents Glossary Term Explanation adoptive parent A person who has legally adopted a child. ART assisted reproductive technology. ART child A child conceived through ART. assisted reproductive technology Conception other than through intercourse, including in vitro fertilisation, clinically-assisted donor insemination and self-insemination. birth father ... -
14 December 2012Book page
Same-Sex: Same Entitlements: Chapter 15
Many same-sex couples who appeared at the Inquiry’s community forums talked about the problems they face in getting visas. They highlighted the limited options available to a same-sex couple wanting to migrate to Australia as a couple. They talked about the additional expense and disruption to their lives in proving their entitlement to a visa. And they talked about the indignity of being treated differently to genuine opposite-sex couples. -
14 December 2012Book page
Same-Sex: Same Entitlements: Chapter 9
Social security is an income support system that acts as a safety-net for people who, for some reason, are unable to financially support themselves. Entitlements to social security are largely governed by the Social Security Act 1991 (Cth) (Social Security Act) and the A New Tax System (Family Assistance) Act 1999 (Cth) (Family Assistance Act). The payments are usually administered by Centrelink. -
14 December 2012Book page
Same-Sex: Same Entitlements: Chapter 8
Same-sex couples are not eligible for a range of rebates and tax concessions available to opposite-sex couples. This means same-sex couples may end up paying more tax than opposite-sex couples because tax legislation does not recognise their relationship. -
14 December 2012Book page
Same-Sex: Same Entitlements: Summary of findings
The following is a summary of the findings and recommendations made in the full report. It substantially represents the content of Chapter 18 of the full report of the Same-Sex: Same Entitlements Inquiry. -
14 December 2012Book page
Same-Sex: Same Entitlements: Chapter 12
The issue of divorce never arises for same-sex couples, since they cannot legally marry. However, a same-sex couple, like an opposite-sex de facto couple, may need the assistance of a court to resolve property and child-related issues if their relationship breaks down. -
14 December 2012Book page
Same-Sex: Same Entitlements: Chapter 16
As part of the Inquiry’s audit of federal, state and territory laws, the Inquiry has identified a range of laws which potentially discriminate against same-sex couples and families, but do not fall within the previous topic-specific chapters. -
14 December 2012Book page
Same-Sex: Same Entitlements: Media release
Changing the definitions describing de facto relationships in relevant federal laws could help end daily discrimination suffered by more than 20,000 same-sex couples in Australia, according to a report by the Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission (HREOC), tabled in Federal Parliament today. -
14 December 2012Book page
Same-Sex: Same Entitlements: Chapter 11
This chapter focuses on discrimination against same-sex couples and their families in the context of access to the Medicare and Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) Safety Nets. -
14 December 2012Book page
Same-Sex: Same Entitlements: Chapter 17
Organisations and individuals raised a range of issues with the Inquiry that did not fall strictly within its Terms of Reference. Where these issues relate to one of the main chapters of this report, they are discussed within that chapter. -
14 December 2012Book page
Same-Sex: Discussion paper 2
This discussion paper briefly discusses federal laws which exclude same-sex couples from accessing financial and work-related entitlements. The paper discusses the following areas of federal law: -
14 December 2012Book page
Same-Sex: Same Entitlements: Chapter 14
When people enter an aged care facility they usually have to pay certain daily fees and other payments to fund their care and residence. The Aged Care Act 1997 (Cth) (the Aged Care Act) sets out how those fees and payments should be calculated in both public and private aged care facilities. -
14 December 2012Book page
Same-Sex: Same Entitlements: Laws
The following 58 laws must be amended to eliminate discrimination against same-sex couples and their children in the area of federal financial and work-related entitlements. -
14 December 2012Book page
Same-Sex: Same Entitlements: Chapter 10
This chapter focuses on discrimination regarding the entitlements available to veterans of the Australian Defence Forces who have a same-sex partner or children. -
Commission – General14 December 2012Publication
Annual Report 2007-2008: Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission
As a record, the Annual Report of the Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission (HREOC) is a testament to the vital role that our Commissioners and staff play in promoting and protecting human rights. In that light, the 2007-08 reporting period has seen a number of significant national developments in Australia that have provided high profile validation for these efforts. -
14 December 2012Book page
Same-Sex: Same Entitlements: Chapter 13
Superannuation is one of the main ways of saving for retirement. It is designed to provide financial security for individuals and their families in retirement; or when a person dies unexpectedly.