The Gay and Lesbian Rights Lobby (GLRL) welcomes the new inquiry by the Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission (HREOC) into same-sex relationship discrimination, to be launched today in Sydney.

The Inquiry entitled “Same-Sex: Same Entitlements – National Inquiry into Discrimination against People in Same-Sex Relationships: Financial and Work-Related Entitlements and Benefits”, will be based around a comprehensive review of Commonwealth, State and Territory laws that discriminate against people in same-sex relationships.

A lack of recognition under various federal and state legislation means that Australians in same-sex relationships continue to face disadvantage in their daily lives in relation to areas such as superannuation death benefits, taxation rebates, the Medicare Safety Net, and the Widow pension.

According to Laurie Berg, co-convenor, “the inquiry will be an important step in making the Australian public more aware of the day-to-day impact that discrimination has on people in same-sex relationships”.

Berg, who is speaking at the Launch, added that “a successful inquiry will go a long way in the winning the hearts and minds of the average Australian, who may be aware of the gay marriage debate, but would not realise that thousands of Australians are being unfairly treated when it comes to financial and work-related benefits.”

David Scamell, co-convenor, stated that “an inquiry into same-sex relationship discrimination by the peak human rights organisation in the country sends the strong message that gay rights are human rights, and the issue of discrimination is of concern for all Australians.”