A BRIEF GUIDE TO THE FEDERAL CHANGES 2008
AN OVERVIEW OF THE CHANGES TO FEDERAL LAWS IN RELATION TO SAME SEX COUPLES CAN BE FOUND HERE:
http://www.ag.gov.au/www/agd/agd.nsf/Page/Humanrightsandanti-discrimination_SameSexReform
Specific changes include:
1. MEDICARE SAFETY NET & SAME SEX COUPLES WITH CHILDREN
http://www.health.gov.au/internet/mbsonline/publishing.nsf/Content/News-20081215-Same-sex-Relationships-Bill
Same-Sex Relationships Act 2008
Effective from 1 January 2009, same-sex couples and their children can register as a family for Medicare safety net purposes.
The Same-Sex Relationships (Equal Treatment in Commonwealth Laws—General Law Reform) Act 2008 received Royal Assent on 9 December 2008. It removes discrimination against same-sex couples and their children from a wide range of Commonwealth laws and programs.
As part of the Act, the Health Insurance Act 1973 has been amended to recognise same-sex relationships and allow same-sex couples and their children to register as a family for Medicare Safety Net purposes, and thereby receive the same entitlements as opposite-sex couples and their children. It is to take effect from 1 January 2009.
For further information on the administration of the Medicare Safety Nets visit the Medicare Australia website.
For a summary of all Commonwealth legislation and programs which have changed following the Same-Sex Relationships Act, visit the Attorney-General’s Department website.
To view the legislative amendments:
* the Same-Sex Relationships (Equal Treatment in Commonwealth Laws—General Law Reform) Act 2008
• the Explanatory Memorandum and Supplementary Explanatory Memorandum
2. SOCIAL SECURITY AND FAMILY ASSISTANCE
Same-sex couples are not currently recognised for social security or family assistance purposes. A person who has a same-sex de facto partner is currently treated as a single person.
The reforms will ensure that same-sex de facto couples are recognised as couples. This means that a same-sex couple will receive the same rate of social security and family assistance payments as an opposite-sex couple.
Reforms relating to social security and family assistance will also allow for the recognition of children of same-sex couples.
The social security and family assistance reforms will commence on 1 July 2009.
AN OVERVIEW OF THE CHANGES TO FEDERAL LAWS IN RELATION TO SAME SEX COUPLES CAN BE FOUND HERE:
http://www.ag.gov.au/www/agd/agd.nsf/Page/Humanrightsandanti-discrimination_SameSexReform
Specific changes include:
1. MEDICARE SAFETY NET & SAME SEX COUPLES WITH CHILDREN
http://www.health.gov.au/internet/mbsonline/publishing.nsf/Content/News-20081215-Same-sex-Relationships-Bill
Same-Sex Relationships Act 2008
Effective from 1 January 2009, same-sex couples and their children can register as a family for Medicare safety net purposes.
The Same-Sex Relationships (Equal Treatment in Commonwealth Laws—General Law Reform) Act 2008 received Royal Assent on 9 December 2008. It removes discrimination against same-sex couples and their children from a wide range of Commonwealth laws and programs.
As part of the Act, the Health Insurance Act 1973 has been amended to recognise same-sex relationships and allow same-sex couples and their children to register as a family for Medicare Safety Net purposes, and thereby receive the same entitlements as opposite-sex couples and their children. It is to take effect from 1 January 2009.
For further information on the administration of the Medicare Safety Nets visit the Medicare Australia website.
For a summary of all Commonwealth legislation and programs which have changed following the Same-Sex Relationships Act, visit the Attorney-General’s Department website.
To view the legislative amendments:
* the Same-Sex Relationships (Equal Treatment in Commonwealth Laws—General Law Reform) Act 2008
• the Explanatory Memorandum and Supplementary Explanatory Memorandum
2. SOCIAL SECURITY AND FAMILY ASSISTANCE
Same-sex couples are not currently recognised for social security or family assistance purposes. A person who has a same-sex de facto partner is currently treated as a single person.
The reforms will ensure that same-sex de facto couples are recognised as couples. This means that a same-sex couple will receive the same rate of social security and family assistance payments as an opposite-sex couple.
Reforms relating to social security and family assistance will also allow for the recognition of children of same-sex couples.
The social security and family assistance reforms will commence on 1 July 2009.
