ARTICLE · 19 FEBRUARY 2009

Same-Sex Equality Legislation

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The Same-Sex Relationships (Equal Treatment in Commonwealth Laws-Superannuation) Act 2008 is the first of three bills which received Royal Assent on 4 December 2008 in part of a package of legislation to ensure equal treatment under commonwealth laws for same-sex couples.

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Michael Van Schaik

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The Same-Sex Relationships (Equal Treatment in Commonwealth Laws-Superannuation) Act 2008 is the first of three bills which received Royal Assent on 4 December 2008 in part of a package of legislation to ensure equal treatment under commonwealth laws for same-sex couples. The Act primarily allows inheritance rights to same sex spouses rather than superannuation payments previously only being granted to children.

The Same-Sex Relationships (Equal Treatment in Commonwealth Laws— General Law Reform) Bill 2008 received Royal Assent on 9 December 2008 and presently the Family Law Amendment (De Facto Financial Matters and Other Measures) Bill 2008 which amends the Family Law Act 1975 to provide for opposite-sex and same-sex de facto couples to essentially be granted many of the same rights under law as married couples, is awaiting Royal Assent.

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