OZ Gov Financial Discrimination of Gay & Les Couples
Jun 22nd 2007, 5:04 am
#1
Jedi Princess
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Joined: Jun 2006
Location: Melbourne,Australia
Posts: 2,089
OZ Gov Financial Discrimination of Gay & Les Couples
Reported today: Gay and Lesbian couples are financially discriminated against via 58 Federal government laws. These are in relation to superannuation, welfare payments and other financial matters. This results in significant disadvantage compared with their heterosexual counterparts.
These laws apply to defacto gay couples as gay marriage and civil unions/partnerships are not legal/recognised in Australia.
The federal government apparently says it will 'look into it' (election year timing?)
These laws apply to defacto gay couples as gay marriage and civil unions/partnerships are not legal/recognised in Australia.
The federal government apparently says it will 'look into it' (election year timing?)
Jun 22nd 2007, 5:12 am
#2
Proudly Deplorable
Joined: May 2003
Location: Alloha snack bar
Posts: 24,246
Re: OZ Gov Financial Discrimination of Gay & Les Couples
Reported today: Gay and Lesbian couples are financially discriminated against via 58 Federal government laws. These are in relation to superannuation, welfare payments and other financial matters. This results in significant disadvantage compared with their heterosexual counterparts.
These laws apply to defacto gay couples as gay marriage and civil unions/partnerships are not legal/recognised in Australia.
The federal government apparently says it will 'look into it' (election year timing?)
These laws apply to defacto gay couples as gay marriage and civil unions/partnerships are not legal/recognised in Australia.
The federal government apparently says it will 'look into it' (election year timing?)
Jun 22nd 2007, 5:30 am
#3
Jedi Princess
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Joined: Jun 2006
Location: Melbourne,Australia
Posts: 2,089
I see you didn't take your liver salts today then
Jun 22nd 2007, 5:42 am
#4
Fighting my corner
Joined: Aug 2005
Location: Adelaide, South Australia
Posts: 11,948
Re: OZ Gov Financial Discrimination of Gay & Les Couples
Reported today: Gay and Lesbian couples are financially discriminated against via 58 Federal government laws. These are in relation to superannuation, welfare payments and other financial matters. This results in significant disadvantage compared with their heterosexual counterparts.
These laws apply to defacto gay couples as gay marriage and civil unions/partnerships are not legal/recognised in Australia.
The federal government apparently says it will 'look into it' (election year timing?)
These laws apply to defacto gay couples as gay marriage and civil unions/partnerships are not legal/recognised in Australia.
The federal government apparently says it will 'look into it' (election year timing?)
Which is true.
Jun 22nd 2007, 5:49 am
#5
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Joined: Jun 2007
Location: Melbourne
Posts: 10,994
Re: OZ Gov Financial Discrimination of Gay & Les Couples
Agreed. Last year I submitted a joint tax return with my partner not realising that the ATO does not recognise our 6 yr relationship as defacto - only m/f relationships are considered as such. Any old m/f couple could submit a joint tax return with very little evidence of any kind of genuine and ongoing relationship.
The net result for me was paying about $800 extra tax - if that's not discriminatory I don't know what is.
I'd have to say though that in immigration law Australia is quite liberal in this matter although it seems to be the only area of Australian legislation that is.
The net result for me was paying about $800 extra tax - if that's not discriminatory I don't know what is.
I'd have to say though that in immigration law Australia is quite liberal in this matter although it seems to be the only area of Australian legislation that is.
Jun 22nd 2007, 6:11 am
#6
(It's not my real name)
Joined: Sep 2002
Location: Ilukapool. WA
Posts: 12,467
Re: OZ Gov Financial Discrimination of Gay & Les Couples
I think the government should leave Les Couples and his lovely wife Gay alone.
Jun 22nd 2007, 6:19 am
#7
Proudly Deplorable
Joined: May 2003
Location: Alloha snack bar
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The PC brigade are going to be after you for this!
And Vash for suggesting that there could possibly be something more important than equal rights for the gay community...!
Jun 22nd 2007, 6:29 am
#9
Jedi Princess
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Jun 22nd 2007, 6:31 am
#10
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Re: OZ Gov Financial Discrimination of Gay & Les Couples
I'm not some kind of gay rights activist, marching for the right to get married or adopt kids, neither of which I have any interest in....but how difficult is it to say to the ATO that maybe its about time they updated their definition of what a defacto relationship is in line with other federal laws?
Arguably I'm less of a drain on society than many others and I have no objection to paying the same taxes as everyone else but why should i pay more??
Jun 22nd 2007, 6:31 am
#11
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Re: OZ Gov Financial Discrimination of Gay & Les Couples
Jun 22nd 2007, 6:33 am
#12
Jedi Princess
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Location: Melbourne,Australia
Posts: 2,089
Re: OZ Gov Financial Discrimination of Gay & Les Couples
Agreed. Last year I submitted a joint tax return with my partner not realising that the ATO does not recognise our 6 yr relationship as defacto - only m/f relationships are considered as such. Any old m/f couple could submit a joint tax return with very little evidence of any kind of genuine and ongoing relationship.
The net result for me was paying about $800 extra tax - if that's not discriminatory I don't know what is.
I'd have to say though that in immigration law Australia is quite liberal in this matter although it seems to be the only area of Australian legislation that is.
The net result for me was paying about $800 extra tax - if that's not discriminatory I don't know what is.
I'd have to say though that in immigration law Australia is quite liberal in this matter although it seems to be the only area of Australian legislation that is.
Jun 22nd 2007, 6:33 am
#13
Account Closed
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 8,913
Re: OZ Gov Financial Discrimination of Gay & Les Couples
Good job this isn't San Fransico
Jun 22nd 2007, 6:34 am
#14
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Joined: Sep 2002
Location: Ilukapool. WA
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Re: OZ Gov Financial Discrimination of Gay & Les Couples
The govt do recognise same sex relationships when it comes to immigration though.
Jun 22nd 2007, 6:37 am
#15
Jedi Princess
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Re: OZ Gov Financial Discrimination of Gay & Les Couples
These matters should have been sorted yonks ago. It's disgraceful that this sort of discrimination is still legal!. But unlikely under a Liberal federal govt due to their conservative "family values" agenda that actively promotes heterosexual marriage while attempting to discourage other sexual orientations and identities.