Gay advocates urge Cabinet to prevent financial and health crisis
8 December 2008
The Australian Coalition for Equality has urged the Federal Government to fund an independent advocate to help same-sex couples adjust to recent changes in Federal Law recognising same-sex relationships.
At the Federal Community Cabinet in Corio, Victoria, on Sunday, ACE spokesperson, Corey Irlam explained how some older same-sex partners, and those on social security benefits, will be financially disadvantaged by reform, and called for action to avert "a financial and health crisis".
"Some same-sex partners fear losing benefits now their relationships are recognised, while others are anxious about Centrelink prying into personal relationships which have been kept secret for many decades", Mr Irlam said.
"This is causing financial and emotional stress that is severely affecting the health of some same-sex partners."
"Same-sex couples adversely affected by reform need an independent advocate to provide grassroots education and support to help them adjust to the new social security regime."
In every major Social Security reform for the past 15 years grandfathering clauses have been included to allow people currently in the system to adjust to the new situation, however, the recent reforms giving equal entitlements to same-sex couples did not include any grandfathering arrangements.
Mr Irlam said he was pleased the Prime Minister responded to his question by asking ACE to "footy-tackle" social security minister, Joe Ludwig.
"We were pleased to see the Prime Minister genuinely open to the idea of funding an independent advocate for people affected by these reforms, Mr Irlam said.
Following the Community Cabinet Mr Irlam briefly met with Human Services Minister Joe Ludwig to outline the need for $500,000 to fund a grassroots education and independent advocacy program.
Mr Irlam recommended the funding be provided to the new National GLBT Health Alliance and the Community Legal Centres to ensure the experts social security law and effective education of the GLBT community are involved.
Further discussions will be held with representatives of Minister Ludwig in
