Democrats welcome long overdue reforms for same-sex couples
Democrats' Deputy Leader Senator Andrew Bartlett has welcomed the Rudd Government's announcement that it will finally remove legal inequalities discriminating against same-sex couples.
"The Government's commitment to remove discrimination on the grounds of sexuality is very welcome. It has been a very long time coming," Senator Bartlett said.
"The Democrats have worked for decades to have these legal inequalities removed. We've had legislation before Parliament since 1995, have moved literally hundreds of amendments, and as late as last year we were fighting to have the Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission's (HREOC) recommendations for reform adopted by the then conservative Government with our Same-Sex: Same Entitlements Bill.
"Despite overwhelming public support and political lip service for an end to ongoing legal discrimination, political action was thin on the ground.
"Same-sex couples have put up with an unfair and discriminatory system for far too long and the Democrats are proud that we have led the way in keeping this issue before the Parliament and in the public mind.
"We look forward to examining the Government's legislation and supporting change to finally bring an end to this gross injustice," Senator Bartlett said.
