Same-sex discrimination will be removed from child support, under amendments circulated in Parliament today. The amendments, to section 60H of the Family Law Act, implement a bipartisan recommendation by Labor and Liberal Senators on the Senate Legal and Constitutional Affairs Committee in August. They also form part of the 58 areas of discrimination recommended for removal by HREOC in its landmark Same-sex: Same Entitlements report. They continue the Rudd Government’s implementation of its election commitment to remove same-sex discrimination from a wide range of Commonwealth laws. “Children who are raised by a same-sex couple currently face financial disadvantage if the couple separates because they cannot access child support,” said Mr McClelland. “The amendments will ensure these children can have their parents recognised and have access to child support in the same way as children of opposite-sex couples who separate.” “This will help ensure children are protected and are not discriminated against simply because of the structure of their family.” “I thank the Senate Committee for its bipartisan recommendation on this issue.”
Source: Ministerial Media Release by Attorney-General Robert McClelland
Comment: The proposed amendments have not been placed on the Parliament House website.
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