On 15 September 2008, the Centre made a Submission to the Senate Legal and Constitutional Affairs Committee on the Same-Sex Relationships (Equal Treatment in Commonwealth Laws–General Law Reform) Bill 2008.
The purpose of the Bill is to eliminate discrimination against same-sex couples and the children of same-sex relationships in 68 Commonwealth laws. The Centre congratulates the Australian Government on these proposed reforms, which will address and reduce discrimination. However, the Bill does not fully eliminate discrimination against individuals who are in same-sex relationships because it does not enable same-sex couples to marry and it does not prohibit discrimination on the grounds of sexual orientation and status as a same-sex couple.
While the Centre is encouraged by the proposed amendments, the submission recommends that further steps be taken to ensure that discrimination against individuals on the grounds of their sexual orientation and status as a same-sex couple be eliminated entirely.
