The Legal and Constitutional Affairs Senate Committee released its report today concerning the Family Law Amendment (De Facto Financial Matters and Other Measures) Bill 2008. After extensive lobbying, the Gay and Lesbian Rights Lobby (GLRL) was successful in convincing the Committee to take up its recommendation to better recognise the children of lesbians and gay men.

“We made two extensive written as well as an oral submission to the Committee on the importance of amending section 60H of the Family Law Act as the best model to provide equality for same-sex couples and their children,” said GLRL Co-Convenor Emily Gray, “We are pleased that the Committee has decided to include this measure in their recommendations on the Bill as it will allow equitable access to the Family Law Court for thousands of families across Australia.” 

The Bill is designed to allow de facto couples, including same-sex couples, access to the Family Court upon the breakdown of their relationship for matters relating to property and children. The recommendations of the Committee will now be considered by parliament before the Bill is reintroduced to parliament later this year. 

“We call on the Government and the Opposition to accept this recommendation as it is the best way to ensure consistent protection and treatment of lesbians, gay men and their children upon the breakdown of a relationship,” said Peter Johnson, Co-Convenor, “Both sides of politics must come together on this issue to ensure that children in same-sex couples are not discriminated against because of the sexuality of their parents.”