No Vote for Tassie – Tasmania will not hold a conscience vote on the same-sex marriage bills introduced by the Greens after the ruling Labor Party said that the constitutionality of state marriage’s needs to be determined by the courts. A spokeswoman for the Greens Shadow Attorney-General Nick McKim told Sydney Star Observer, ‘We gave a commitment to see this through, and we’ll continue to introduce this legislation until same-sex marriages are legal.’
Same-Sex Parents Study – Researchers at the Bouverie Centre, Victoria’s Family Institute, have launched a major study into lesbian and gay parenting in Australia and New Zealand. The study will look at the ways in which gay and lesbian families negotiate parenting and household responsibilities, as well as their engagement with extended family networks and the broader community. This is the largest study to date in Australia to focus on same-sex family structures.
Rating Workplaces from Pink to Black – The Diversity Council of Australia (DCA) and the GLBT Health Alliance are collaborating to create a checklist that compares Australian businesses’ track record on GLBT workplace relations. In addition, the DCA hopes to provide GLBT diversity training to help improve workplace situations for GLBT workers.
ACT Extends Parental Leave – The ACT has introduced legislation to the territory Assembly that would allow same-sex couples the same rights of parental leave as heterosexual couples. Currently, only one partner in a same-sex couple is allowed parental leave to care for children.
NSW Pushes Lesbian Mother Recognition – The New South Wales Attorney-General says he will push the Federal Government to change the Family Law Act 1975 to recognize children born through donor insemination to lesbian couples. These changes would mirror legislation passed in Western Australia, NSW, the Northern Territory and the ACT. The changes would give children equal rights to child support and help clarify contact and residence issues between parents upon the breakdown of a relationship.
Forum Tackles Same-Sex Reform – Federal Government agencies met this month with members of the gay and lesbian community to discuss same-sex couple law reforms. The meeting was convened by the Attorney-General’s Department to discuss technical legal matters and how GLBT law reform will be implemented. Forum attendees included representatives of 15 Federal Government agencies, GLBT legal and human rights experts and activists.
Feast of Funds – Adelaide’s Feast Festival has been given increased funding for its 2008 festival. The funding includes a special one-off payment from the Department of Premier and Cabinet of $30,000. The Adelaide City Council and South Australian Tourism Commission have each contributed an additional $5,000 and the South Australian Youth Arts Board has increased funding by $9,150. The Feast Festival will run from November 15-30.
