[Greens-Media] Super entitlements for all same-sex couples, not just a few: Greens

[Clark, Gemma (Sen S. Hanson-Young)]

Wednesday 6 August 2008

Super entitlements for all same-sex couples, not just a few: Greens

Greens Senator Sarah Hanson-Young has said federal legislation must be
amended to allow all same-sex couples to access each other's
superannuation, at today's public hearing to inquire into same-sex
couples' superannuation entitlements in Melbourne.

Senator Hanson-Young, who is a member of the Senate Standing Committee
on Legal and Constitutional Affairs, said there was still work to be
done to achieve equality for same-sex couples. "It's great that we've
seen some proposed changes to Commonwealth law to remove discrimination
towards same-sex couples, but let's not hide from what still needs to be
fixed.

"The Government's proposed piece of legislation will provide for
superannuation entitlements for same-sex couples who have Commonwealth
super schemes, but those who have commercial super schemes are still
being discriminated against," she said.

"However, 89 per cent - an overwhelming majority - of Australians have
their super tied up in private funds. This clearly does not mandate that
all same-sex couples are entitled to access each other's super.

Senator Hanson-Young said the Greens would move amendments in the Senate
to ensure that all same-sex couples receive superannuation entitlements,
regardless of whether their scheme is Commonwealth or commercial. "We
want to have this mandated in Commonwealth law," she said.

"Equality should be universal, not peppered with big loopholes,"
concluded Senator Hanson-Young. 

Senator Sarah Hanson-Young is attending the following public hearings
this week:  
Wednesday 6 August - St James Court Conference Centre, 12 Batman St,
Melbourne
Thursday 7 August - Committee Room 2S1, Parliament House, Canberra

For further information please call Gemma Clark on 0427 604 760