The South Australian Government should be congratulated for new laws which come into effect giving legal rights to same-sex couples in a range of crucial areas, Human Rights Commissioner Graeme Innes AM said earlier this month.
The Statutes Amendment (Domestic Partners) Act 2006 will mean same-sex partners who have been living together for three years or more will have improved outcomes in areas such as property ownership and next of kin arrangements.
‘This new law means that same-sex couples are treated the same way as opposite-sex de facto couples under South Australian law. For example, from today onwards the surviving partner of a same-sex couple will be entitled to inheritance under South Australia’s intestacy laws.’ Mr Innes said.
‘It might seem strange to many people that in 2007 same-sex relationships are only just being recognised in this way for the first time, but the reality is fairness for same-sex couples is not a given in Australian society.’
The new law brings South Australia into line with all other states and territories which have gradually introduced law reforms putting same-sex and opposite-sex couples on a par under state and territory law.
Commissioner Innes said the Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission’s (HREOC) Same-Sex: Same Entitlements report, to be released later this month, focused on discrimination against same-sex couples in federal law.
The HREOC Same-Sex: Same Entitlements report is based on HREOC’s 2006 national inquiry into discrimination against people in same-sex relationships in the area of financial and work-related entitlements. The Same-Sex: Same Entitlements report was transmitted to the Attorney-General on 15 May and will be tabled in Federal parliament by 21 June.
The national launch will be in Sydney on 22 June.
