Date: 2009/3/20
Subject: What the Senate did yesterday re legislative changes affecting lesbian couples
To: coal <coal@aapt.net.au>
This is what happened in the Senate yesterday:
SAME-SEX COUPLES: LEGISLATIVE
CHANGES
Senator HANSON-YOUNG (South Australia)
(9.36 am)—I move:
That the Senate—
(a) notes the appreciation of the gay and lesbian community
of the recent passing of the same-sex law reforms;
(b) recognises:
(i) concerns raised by the gay and lesbian community
that isolated and vulnerable members of the community
may only become aware of these reforms
after 30 March 2009 when Centrelink's education
campaign commences, and
(ii) that the arbitrary time frame will not allow for
same-sex couples to adequately adjust to the removal
of discrimination before incurring debt and
penalties; and
(c) calls on the Government to revisit the implementation
of a 12-month transitional period to ensure individuals
currently on a social security payment have sufficient
time to readjust to the changes.
Senator LUDWIG (Queensland—Manager of
Government Business in the Senate) (9.36 am)—by
leave—The government did not hide the fact that equal
treatment could result in some same-sex couples having
the benefits they currently receive reduced and that
there would be winners and losers. That is why we put
in place a long phase-in time—15 months—for those
changes that adversely impact on the finances of samesex
couples. This allows time for same-sex couples to
adjust to being treated the same as opposite-sex couples.
The government is conscious of the need to allow
couples an opportunity to adjust to the changes made
by the reforms. Changes to social security and family
Thursday, 19 March 2009 SENATE 5
CHAMBER
assistance entitlements will not commence until 1 July
2009. This is to allow time for same-sex couples to
adjust to being treated the same as opposite-sex couples.
Centrelink has established a dedicated hotline for
customers affected by the reforms to discuss their particular
situation with a Centrelink service adviser. The
hotline number is 136280. Centrelink social workers
and financial information service officers will be available
to assist people affected by these changes.
Question put.
The Senate divided. [9.37 am]
(The President—Senator the Hon. JJ Hogg)
Ayes………… 5
Noes………… 46
Majority……… 41
AYES
Brown, B.J. Hanson-Young, S.C.
Ludlam, S. Milne, C.
Siewert, R. *
NOES
Abetz, E. Arbib, M.V.
Back, C.J. Barnett, G.
Bernardi, C. Bilyk, C.L.
Bishop, T.M. Brown, C.L.
Bushby, D.C. Cameron, D.N.
Cash, M.C. Colbeck, R.
Collins, J. Conroy, S.M.
Cormann, M.H.P. Eggleston, A.
Farrell, D.E. Feeney, D.
Fielding, S. Fifield, M.P.
Forshaw, M.G. Furner, M.L.
Hogg, J.J. Humphries, G.
Hurley, A. Hutchins, S.P.
Joyce, B. Ludwig, J.W.
Lundy, K.A. Macdonald, I.
Marshall, G. McEwen, A.
McLucas, J.E. Moore, C.
O'Brien, K.W.K. Parry, S. *
Polley, H. Pratt, L.C.
Ryan, S.M. Scullion, N.G.
Sherry, N.J. Troeth, J.M.
Trood, R.B. Williams, J.R.
Wortley, D. Xenophon, N.
* denotes teller
Question negatived.--
REAL- Respect and Equality Amongst Lesbians.
PHONE Merilyn 0415 835 507
http://realillawarra.blogspot.com/
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