What do the Family Law Act; Fair Work Act and the Immigration Act have to do with the LGBT community?
Much more now that the Federal Government amended 85 laws in 2008 to close the gap on legal discrepancies like family, finances and freedoms for LGBT people.
While law reform may not be everybody’s cup of tea, the Wear It With Pride (WIWP) campaign spells big news for the community.
Last month, LGBT rights campaigner Rod Swift attended the WIWP official Perth campaign launch at the WA State Library.
‘The reforms are very important, kicking in with more impact as we get closer to tax time,’ Swift said.
‘Couples can now maximise the benefits of the reforms in their tax return by claiming a spouse on the Medicare safety net rebate; deductions for children or a dependent at home.
‘Some people unfortunately will be impacted negatively, especially in the social security section, but on the whole, it’s mostly positive,’ Swift said.
The reforms were divided into eight categories such as family and relationships, financial and immigration legislation.
One core reform was the recognition of same-sex partners as being in a de facto relationship.
Many of the laws were updated to recognise same-sex couples as de facto relationships with many of the same rights and obligations passed on.
The flow-on effect from this amendment is huge; improving immigration opportunities, making financial and workplace issues clearer and amending discriminative legislation.
While much of the reform won’t impact immediately on LGBT people, unexpected situations reflect the significance of these changes.
One change now ensures that if one partner dies suddenly in a plane crash, the other partner and children can seek compensation from the airline.
Parenting rights were clarified to now recognise a same-sex partner; an often problematic situation.
Now the same-sex partner needs to consent as a parent at the time of conception to have their name on the birth certificate.
The new laws include extended family so that the family of the same-sex partner are now legally recognised as family.
With all good things, there had to be some concessions that were manifested in Centrelink recognition.
Couples that received Centrelink payments may now be given a reduced payment as a de facto relationship.
Part of this hugely successful campaign has been the stories affiliated with the core reforms such as Noel Tovey’s story.
In 1950, Tovey was arrested and incarcerated at age 17 for buggery after a life of rejection and abuse in the slums of Melbourne.
Half a century later, he became the artistic director for the indigenous welcoming ceremony for the Sydney 2000 Olympics, among a list of other grand achievements such as an acclaimed choreographer and dancer in the UK.
This year, Tovey represented the Health and Aging component of the national Wear It With Pride campaign, promoting 85 laws recently amended to close the gap on legal discrepancies faced by LGBT people.
‘The law locked me up for who I loved. Now it’s on my side,’ Tovey said.
Be sure to check out the Wear It With Pride website www.wearitwithpride.com.au for the rest of the reforms and be informed on what you are now entitled to.
Benn Dorrington
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