The Federal Government’s immigration policy on same-sex couples has resulted in a backlash from frustrated GPs who have written to the Immigration Minister, Amanda Vanstone stating they were “exasperated and bitterly disappointed” at the discrimination against homosexual relationships, which was “also disadvantaging our population’s health”.

An English doctor was due to have joined a practice in Helensburgh but has been forced to take look for work opportunities in New Zealand due to the Howard Government’s refusal to acknowledge same-sex relationships. The doctor and his partner of eight years were advised by the immigration department that same-sex partners do not qualify for a family visa, currently only available to heterosexual partners of overseas doctors in areas of need.

Julie McConnell, Co-Convenor, said “this is the cost society pays for homophobic legislation - patients are being subjected to lengthy wait times, and our doctors are under unnecessary pressure. This isn’t an isolated case with other overseas trained doctors refused family visas for their same-sex partners in 2005.”

David Scamell, Co-Convenor, commented that “this case highlights the fact that the Howard Government is vastly out of touch with the needs of society. The Government’s legislation is harming not just the gay and lesbian community but also the nation’s health.”

He added: “The Government must amend the definition of family unit under immigration law to ensure that much needed skilled migrants and their samesex partners are able to migrate to Australia. The longer this Government refuses to properly acknowledge same-sex relationships, the more examples will emerge highlighting the cost of Howard’s homophopbia.”