Australian Legislators Back Gay Rights

November 26, 2008

SYDNEY, Australia — Australian lawmakers have approved legislation giving homosexual couples the same rights as heterosexuals but have ruled out legalizing same-sex marriages.

The Senate passed amendments late Monday to around 100 family, health and taxation laws that give homosexual couples access to the same services as opposite-sex couples living together in “de facto,” or common-law, relationships.

Among the major changes, the reforms allow homosexuals family benefits under the state-run health care program, and to leave their retirement benefits to their partners if they die. They also confer parental rights on gay and lesbian couples with children.

The legislation now goes to House of Representatives where it is expected to pass.

While the laws give same-sex partners many of the same rights and protections as married couples, they stop short of allowing gays and lesbians to wed under the Marriage Act, which was redrawn by the last Conservative government to define marriage as between one man and one woman.

When the ruling Labor Party won election in 2007, it did so in part on a promise to end discrimination against gays and lesbians. But party leaders have said that pledge does not include same-sex marriages.

“It won’t be part of this government’s agenda,” Attorney-General Robert McClelland said Tuesday. “The Labor Party policy is firm that marriage is between a man and a woman.”

Only a handful of countries around the world recognize same-sex marriages, including Belgium, Canada, the Netherlands, Norway, South Africa and Spain. Around 20 other countries recognize some form of civil union for same-sex partners. In Australia, civil unions are only recognized in two states — Victoria and Tasmania — and the Australian Capital Territory.

The introduction of the new laws sparked very little dissent in Australia, where gays and lesbians generally enjoy low levels of discrimination. Monday’s debate was opened by the government’s minister for climate change and water, Penny Wong, who is openly gay.

The legislation now goes to House of Representatives where it is expected to pass.