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Australia edges towards equality
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Australia offers "matching rights" instead of "gay marriage"
"While falling short of the word 'marriage' - the same as in the UK - the new rights redress inequalities in many areas"
One hundred inequalities in Australian law are about to be rectified under the Rudd government, including the right for gay men and lesbians to marry. Well, sort of.
Federal Attorney-General Robert McClelland announced that when Parliament resumes next month a raft of measures giving gay and lesbian partners "equivalent rights" will be introduced. While falling short of the word "marriage" - the same as in the UK - the new rights redress inequalities in areas such as tax, social security, pensions, workers' compensation and vererans' entitlements. It's all part of a commitment the Australian Labour party made to gay voters leading up to the last election.
It's expected that most of the new equalities will be in place within a year while some aspects will come into effect immediately legislation is passed.
