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Same-Sex: Forum: Launceston

National Inquiry into Discrimination against People in Same-Sex Relationships: Financial and Work-Related Entitlements and Benefits

WRITTEN NOTES

Bryce Peterson

NOTES FROM LAUNCESTON COMMUNITY FORUM 6.30 - 8.30pm (25 September 2006)

No audio files are available for this forum.

Twelve people attended the community forum at Launceston and discussed a range of issues.

The following is an overview of the comments made during the community forum.

These comments reflect the views of the participants in the forum, they do not necessarily represent the final conclusions of the Inquiry.

Comparing the parenting experience of a heterosexual and lesbian daughter

One father of four compares the situations of his lesbian daughter with that of his heterosexual daughter. He says that they both have families, but are treated remarkably differently in a variety of areas.

To have a baby, his lesbian daughter and her partner opted for artificial insemination. As this is not available for lesbian women in Victoria, they had to go to New South Wales, which was an expensive process. He also says that his daughter's costs were not claimable because of the Medicare Safety Net.

He says that his lesbian daughter has to constantly explain her situation. After the birth, his lesbian daughter and her partner had papers drawn up. Adoption by his daughter's partner is not possible under the current laws, so his daughter is treated as a single parent.

If his lesbian daughter and her partner were to separate, she would be left alone to fend for herself, because the current laws do not ensure financial support from the non-birth parent in the event of separation.

The father says that while his lesbian daughter is on maternity leave, she will receive a single parent pension even though she is a member of a couple. However, he says that she would swap these benefits if she and her partner were treated the same as heterosexual parents.

He says that in Medicare too, his lesbian daughter and her partner are considered as single parents, and that the majority of private health funds do not recognise them as a family.

He mentions that one of first things his lesbian daughter and her partner were asked at the hospital was what their relationship status was. He says to avoid having their relationship and parenting status questioned, they take their papers with them.

He notes that everyone views them as providing a loving supportive family, however, the law does not treat them in that way. He concludes by saying that whilst they come across friendly people in the system and have a supportive network of family and friends, it is a pity that people don't see what his grandson sees, just his cousin with two mums.

Parenting rights

Another woman talks about the difficulties she and her partner have faced in having a baby together. They have an 11 week old child which they conceived through artificial insemination.

She says that getting the non-birth mother on the birth certificate is virtually impossible. She also says that there are a few states in Australia where presumptive parenthood is available, but not in Tasmania. As the non-birth mother, she has had a lot of difficulty in visiting her child and the birth mother in hospital.

She also talks about the high cost of drawing up parenting agreements, and the fact that at any point they can be overturned.

Tax

A number of people speak about discrimination in the area of taxation.

One person says that when you can put your spouse on your tax return, it minimizes the tax you pay. Being a member of a same-sex couple limits your ability to claim family tax benefits.

Another person talks about the problems in being classified as a dependant. She is a part-time jeweller and wants to develop her career in that area. She says that if her partner could claim her as a dependant, it would give her a lot more options.

Hospital visits

A number of people mention that they have encountered difficulties in trying to visit their same-sex partners in hospital.

Property division

One man says that on the breakdown of this three year relationship with his partner, there was no scheme in place to assist with or to regulate the division of property. He says that it is difficult to rely on the good will of partners during relationship breakdowns, and that is why their needs to be legislative backing.

Centrelink

A number of couples state that their treatment at Centrelink offices and the benefits that they receive depend on which Centrelink office they attend and which staff they are served by. They emphasise the importance of consistency in terms of policy and practice.