Aussie Gay rights 'improved in range of areas'

THE Federal Government changing a raft of laws to remove same-sex discrimination.

Attorney-General Robert McClelland said gay people would gain equality in the move.

"The changes will provide for equality of treatment under a wide range of commonwealth laws between same-sex and opposite-sex de facto couples," Mr McClelland said.

The changes would cover tax, superannuation, social security, health, aged care, veterans entitlements, workers compensation, employment entitlements, and other areas.

Mr McClelland said the changes were long overdue and followed a landmark report of the Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission entitled Same-Sex: Same Entitlements, which focused on financial and work-related legislation.

"In some areas, such as social security, tax and veterans affairs, the reforms will be phased in to allow time for couples to adjust their finances, and for administrative arrangements to be implemented," he said.

All the changes are expected to be implemented by mid-2009.

The Government is not changing laws to allow same-sex couples to marry.

Gay rights 'improved in range of areas'
The Australian, Australia -