Relationship Rights Q & A

The Lobby is proud to introduce our relationship rights question and answer section of our website. Jenni Millbank Special Advisor to Watts McCray Lawyers and Associate Professor of Law at the University of Sydney will be answering your questions regarding relationship rights and the law. Click here to find out more.

Federal Relationship Recogntion

At the federal level, lesbians and gay men are still not treated the same as heterosexuals. Whilst most states have adopted legislation that recognises same-sex de facto relationships as the same as heterosexual de facto relationships, no such legislation exists at a federal level. The lack of legal recognition has a real and daily impact on the lives of thousands of gay and lesbian Australians. In the federal legislative areas of superannuation, insurance, social security, immigration and taxation, the status of "spouse" is defined as heterosexual only, excluding same-sex couples from the rights and obligations held by heterosexual couples.

To find out more about same-sex releationship discrimination at federal level click here.

ALL LOVE IS EQUAL

Community Forum

The Lobby has begun the campaign for achieving relationship recognition at federal level. This process began at the Lobby's forum at @Newtown on the 18th of June where the community was able to come together and learn about the different models of reform. Speakers outlined marriage, civil unions and de facto recognition.

To read Jenni Millbank's speech click here.

To read Luke Gahan's speech click here.

To read Tim Barnett's speech click here.

Other speeches will be available shortly.

To read the Lobby's discussion paper outlining the different models and the consultation process click here.

A more detailed discussion paper will follow and will be available on this website.