> Date: Fri, 9 Jan 2009 22:07:22 +1100
> Subject: Re: [Leso40] legislation
>
> The hotline number is
> 136280. However, I have not found them very empathetic to the issues, but
> they able to give the facts accurately.
>
> There will be a forum in Adelaide sometime in February being organised by
> AIDS Council of SA, PLWHA SA and few others. Not lesbian specific though, as
> our target is HIV+ people in same sex relationships, though open to others.
> I hope many will become active in requesting the grandfather clause, and
> would like to see a longer term goal of benefits/pensions being paid to the
> individual regardless of who they reside with or how they live. I have been
> working on an article for PLWHA SA where I currently work. Some of the
> points about who is viewed as a couple include:
>
> So, who is viewed as a couple in the eyes of Centrelink?
>
> The law covers two adults who live together as a couple on a genuine
> domestic basis if the living arrangement endures for at least three years.
> It does not include people who are just flat mates, a paid carer, or a
> boarder.
>
> Two gay men or lesbians who were previously lovers but now just live
> together as friends or two single gay men or lesbians setting up house
> together and sharing their lives as a couple in a mutually supportive way
> could be viewed as a couple - even if they are not in a sexual or romantic
> relationship.
>
> Some things which could be considered in establishing whether a same sex
> relationship exists include:
>
> . Do you share the whole of the house or have separate areas?
> (having separate living spaces may suggest that you are not really a couple)
>
> . Do either of you financially support the other, wholly or in part?
> Do you keep your money separate or do you share it? Do you have a joint
> bank account?
>
> . If you own property is it in joint names? Do you have other
> property in both names which you have contributed to?
>
> . Are you viewed as sharing a life? Do your friends consider you a
> couple and invite you to events together. Or do you socialize separately?
>
> . Have you provided care for children together in the past or doing
> so currently?
>
> . Do you each do your own housework or do you share it or carry out
> household tasks for each other
>
> . Have you made a domestic partnership agreement or had a commitment
> ceremony?
>
> . Are you on Facebook or other social networking sites and listed
> as 'in a relationship'
>
>
>
> Some of the benefits to same sex couples as a result of the change in law
> include:
>
>
>
> . Medicare Safety net which covers a range of out of hospital doctor
> visits and Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme can be applied for as a 'family'
>
> . Death benefits will be conferred on same sex defacto partners and
> children of a same-sex relationship.
>
> . Private sector superannuation will make same sex partners and
> their children eligible for reversionary benefits.
>
> . Family assistance will apply to same sex couples
>
> . Veteran's Affairs benefits will include same sex couples. (Edward
> Young's 38 year relationship has finally been recognized and will entitle
> him to a war widow pension)
>
> . Taxation benefit as a defacto heterosexual couple
>
> . Child support can be applied for in a relationship separation
>
> Public housing rentals could decrease with both pensioners
> having reduced income.
>
>
> There are many other relationship benefits as a result of the new laws.
> However, the financial disadvantage to the cost of equality will be
> difficult for many to bear. A couple will undergo a standard Income and
> Assets test as heterosexuals do to determine whether the person on a benefit
> still qualifies for their pension, newstart allowance etc. An added
> financial cost in these cases may be loss of secondary entitlements such as
> travel concessions, health care card or change in rental allowance payment
> A Centrelink hotline has been set up for people to ask questions about how
> the changes will affect them. The number is 136280.
>
> regards to all, Mahamati
>
>
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: leso40-bounces@femininebyte.org
> [mailto:leso40-bounces@femininebyte.org] On Behalf Of Kassa Bird
> Sent: 09 January 2009 09:27
> To: leso40@femininebyte.org
> Subject: Re: [Leso40] legislation
>
> Hi women
> I have spoken to a friend of mine who is relatively high up within
> Centrelink, and is a feminist. She thinks it's possible that the
> grandfathering clauses can be implemented as a result of the letter writing
> campaign. She suggests that Jenny Macklin and Julia Gillard also receive the
>
> letters that COAL have drafted. There is a group of people within Centrelink
>
> still drafting the details- definitions, timeframes etc, and she will let me
>
> know if they are in a position to be contacted by peak bodies such as COAL
> and Matrix Guild.
>
> She recommends that individual lesbians go to the website and use the Rates
> Assessment facility to get an estimate of income changes as a result of the
> SS definitions. The details of these differences (loss) will assist to
> demonstrate the discrimination and income loss.There is also a dedicated
> hotline for SS enquiries (and unfortunately I have left that number at work
> but will send on Monday to list if it's hard to get) and she recommends that
>
> we use that hotline to air our concerns.
>
> I'll pass on more information when I speak with my friend again. cheers,
> Kassa
>
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "Jack Draper" <jackdraper@aapt.net.au>
> To: <jean_taylor2@yahoo.com>; <leso40@femininebyte.org>
> Sent: Thursday, January 01, 2009 8:53 AM
> Subject: Re: [Leso40] legislation
>
>
> > Just to keep you in the loop...COAL is almost finished drafting letters
> > and case studies to be sent to politions re the new centrelink definitions
>
> > of de facto.... as soon as they are finalised I will put them on the list
> > so others can cut and paste and send letters too. Please feel free to
> > email coal@aapt.net.au with any info.
> >
> > thanks Jack Draper
> >
> > ----- Original Message -----
> > From: "Jean Taylor" <jean_taylor2@yahoo.com>
> > To: <leso40@femininebyte.org>
> > Sent: Wednesday, December 31, 2008 10:15 AM
> > Subject: [Leso40] legislation
> >
> >
> >>
> >> dear Sisters
> >>
> >> good on you lesbians in NSW for starting to get together to do something
> >> about the inequitous situation some of us are going to find ourselves in
> >> come the middle of the new year
> >>
> >> I find I'm a bit wary of personally the issues and as we already have a
> >> few organisations focused on old age, the Matrix Guild Inc in Victoria,
> >> for example, (which is already researching discrimination in aged care
> >> with Vintage Men some of whom are equally concerned about the loss of
> >> income as we are), that might be an additional way to go
> >>
> >> the ALSO Foundation and the Victorian Gay and Lesbian Rights Lobby could
> >> also be pressured to take this on in a combined effort along with the
> >> above mentioned groups and make a case on our behalf
> >>
> >> and there's the 10/40 in Sydney and especially COAL which, because it is
> >> already established, could also officially act on our behalf
> >>
> >> just a thought, we might as well utilise the lesbian and gay groups
> >> already in existance (as well as start our own for those who want to do
> >> that) because we're going to need all the help we can get
> >>
> >> I've already suggested that we might have a workshop on what's going to
> >> happen at the forthcoming SpiritSisters camp and the L40 in April is
> >> another obvious place to discuss issues and plan strategies
> >>
> >> with love
> >> Jean
> Subject: Re: [Leso40] legislation
>
> The hotline number is
> 136280. However, I have not found them very empathetic to the issues, but
> they able to give the facts accurately.
>
> There will be a forum in Adelaide sometime in February being organised by
> AIDS Council of SA, PLWHA SA and few others. Not lesbian specific though, as
> our target is HIV+ people in same sex relationships, though open to others.
> I hope many will become active in requesting the grandfather clause, and
> would like to see a longer term goal of benefits/pensions being paid to the
> individual regardless of who they reside with or how they live. I have been
> working on an article for PLWHA SA where I currently work. Some of the
> points about who is viewed as a couple include:
>
> So, who is viewed as a couple in the eyes of Centrelink?
>
> The law covers two adults who live together as a couple on a genuine
> domestic basis if the living arrangement endures for at least three years.
> It does not include people who are just flat mates, a paid carer, or a
> boarder.
>
> Two gay men or lesbians who were previously lovers but now just live
> together as friends or two single gay men or lesbians setting up house
> together and sharing their lives as a couple in a mutually supportive way
> could be viewed as a couple - even if they are not in a sexual or romantic
> relationship.
>
> Some things which could be considered in establishing whether a same sex
> relationship exists include:
>
> . Do you share the whole of the house or have separate areas?
> (having separate living spaces may suggest that you are not really a couple)
>
> . Do either of you financially support the other, wholly or in part?
> Do you keep your money separate or do you share it? Do you have a joint
> bank account?
>
> . If you own property is it in joint names? Do you have other
> property in both names which you have contributed to?
>
> . Are you viewed as sharing a life? Do your friends consider you a
> couple and invite you to events together. Or do you socialize separately?
>
> . Have you provided care for children together in the past or doing
> so currently?
>
> . Do you each do your own housework or do you share it or carry out
> household tasks for each other
>
> . Have you made a domestic partnership agreement or had a commitment
> ceremony?
>
> . Are you on Facebook or other social networking sites and listed
> as 'in a relationship'
>
>
>
> Some of the benefits to same sex couples as a result of the change in law
> include:
>
>
>
> . Medicare Safety net which covers a range of out of hospital doctor
> visits and Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme can be applied for as a 'family'
>
> . Death benefits will be conferred on same sex defacto partners and
> children of a same-sex relationship.
>
> . Private sector superannuation will make same sex partners and
> their children eligible for reversionary benefits.
>
> . Family assistance will apply to same sex couples
>
> . Veteran's Affairs benefits will include same sex couples. (Edward
> Young's 38 year relationship has finally been recognized and will entitle
> him to a war widow pension)
>
> . Taxation benefit as a defacto heterosexual couple
>
> . Child support can be applied for in a relationship separation
>
> Public housing rentals could decrease with both pensioners
> having reduced income.
>
>
> There are many other relationship benefits as a result of the new laws.
> However, the financial disadvantage to the cost of equality will be
> difficult for many to bear. A couple will undergo a standard Income and
> Assets test as heterosexuals do to determine whether the person on a benefit
> still qualifies for their pension, newstart allowance etc. An added
> financial cost in these cases may be loss of secondary entitlements such as
> travel concessions, health care card or change in rental allowance payment
> A Centrelink hotline has been set up for people to ask questions about how
> the changes will affect them. The number is 136280.
>
> regards to all, Mahamati
>
>
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: leso40-bounces@femininebyte.org
> [mailto:leso40-bounces@femininebyte.org] On Behalf Of Kassa Bird
> Sent: 09 January 2009 09:27
> To: leso40@femininebyte.org
> Subject: Re: [Leso40] legislation
>
> Hi women
> I have spoken to a friend of mine who is relatively high up within
> Centrelink, and is a feminist. She thinks it's possible that the
> grandfathering clauses can be implemented as a result of the letter writing
> campaign. She suggests that Jenny Macklin and Julia Gillard also receive the
>
> letters that COAL have drafted. There is a group of people within Centrelink
>
> still drafting the details- definitions, timeframes etc, and she will let me
>
> know if they are in a position to be contacted by peak bodies such as COAL
> and Matrix Guild.
>
> She recommends that individual lesbians go to the website and use the Rates
> Assessment facility to get an estimate of income changes as a result of the
> SS definitions. The details of these differences (loss) will assist to
> demonstrate the discrimination and income loss.There is also a dedicated
> hotline for SS enquiries (and unfortunately I have left that number at work
> but will send on Monday to list if it's hard to get) and she recommends that
>
> we use that hotline to air our concerns.
>
> I'll pass on more information when I speak with my friend again. cheers,
> Kassa
>
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "Jack Draper" <jackdraper@aapt.net.au>
> To: <jean_taylor2@yahoo.com>; <leso40@femininebyte.org>
> Sent: Thursday, January 01, 2009 8:53 AM
> Subject: Re: [Leso40] legislation
>
>
> > Just to keep you in the loop...COAL is almost finished drafting letters
> > and case studies to be sent to politions re the new centrelink definitions
>
> > of de facto.... as soon as they are finalised I will put them on the list
> > so others can cut and paste and send letters too. Please feel free to
> > email coal@aapt.net.au with any info.
> >
> > thanks Jack Draper
> >
> > ----- Original Message -----
> > From: "Jean Taylor" <jean_taylor2@yahoo.com>
> > To: <leso40@femininebyte.org>
> > Sent: Wednesday, December 31, 2008 10:15 AM
> > Subject: [Leso40] legislation
> >
> >
> >>
> >> dear Sisters
> >>
> >> good on you lesbians in NSW for starting to get together to do something
> >> about the inequitous situation some of us are going to find ourselves in
> >> come the middle of the new year
> >>
> >> I find I'm a bit wary of personally the issues and as we already have a
> >> few organisations focused on old age, the Matrix Guild Inc in Victoria,
> >> for example, (which is already researching discrimination in aged care
> >> with Vintage Men some of whom are equally concerned about the loss of
> >> income as we are), that might be an additional way to go
> >>
> >> the ALSO Foundation and the Victorian Gay and Lesbian Rights Lobby could
> >> also be pressured to take this on in a combined effort along with the
> >> above mentioned groups and make a case on our behalf
> >>
> >> and there's the 10/40 in Sydney and especially COAL which, because it is
> >> already established, could also officially act on our behalf
> >>
> >> just a thought, we might as well utilise the lesbian and gay groups
> >> already in existance (as well as start our own for those who want to do
> >> that) because we're going to need all the help we can get
> >>
> >> I've already suggested that we might have a workshop on what's going to
> >> happen at the forthcoming SpiritSisters camp and the L40 in April is
> >> another obvious place to discuss issues and plan strategies
> >>
> >> with love
> >> Jean
--
REAL- Respect and Equality Amongst Lesbians
http://realillawarra.blogspot.com/
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