85 new reforms - how do they affect you?

[Beth-n-Sara]

I get what Leasha is saying about the state laws, although most now recognize both parents anyway.

For us there is a security in knowing we are legally a couple. With the financial stuff that goes with it. If something happens to me Sara gets my life insurance and vice verse. So when we look at becoming parents, buying a house, joining the defense force these new reforms ensure our family is protected.

Growing up I didn't feel less secure because my step dad wasn't my legal parent. His relationship with my mother, our home, the financial security of them being legally a couple and value society put on my family is what gave us that security.
Sara was raised by her uncle, no formal care arrangement was ever put in place. He was/is not legally her parent. But he is her Dad. She has always felt the security of growing up in a loving devoted family.

I also think that the other states will follow soon with changes to the same sex family laws (Its only SA and NT now anyway isn't it?).

[Indadhanu]

Sort of off-topic, but our fear came from people clearly stating that they would challenge Jazz being with Shel if something happened to me.
If no one would contest then there wouldn't be any fear.
I get what you mean, Shel was raised by her aunt and uncle from just over 12 months of age. There was no legal care arrangement but then there was no one contesting it either KWIM.

And not to be argumentative but I'll challenge your view

After all the government doesn't change laws- People change laws.

Since these laws were passed in 2008, KRudd got in late 2007... if people changed laws I suspect they'd be changed long before now, but Labor held the power, and that decision, and denied us the rights we deserved.


I really do sound like a whinger huh. I guess I'm a little cynical, I think the government changed the laws in a way that would hold the most voters: Vowed during the campaign to change them just enough to ge on-side with voters disillusioned by the Liberals reign, but not enough to lose the conservative liberal voters entirely. I shouldn't be biting the hand that feeds me right, they could just as easily take it away? But thats a whole other rant I'll save for another day

[Junglemum]

It seems ludicrous that the government needs to stipulate such a list. Surely saying that same sex couple have the same rights as heterosexual couples would be much easier.

I see where you're coming from Leasha, it's a step in the right direction, but when it should be a given, it must be exasperating.

So what's NOT included in the reform?

[Izzy]

I can move to Australia with Lindley under the de-facto arrangements!

It's made a huge difference! I am soon to graduate with a Masters in Mechanical Engineering, so we would probably have been able to move eventually but now we can come back as soon as I finish uni!

(Sorry for the emoticon wall, I am *very* happy about the change.)

Can I just mention that watching the immigration requirements trying to say "include your civil parnership documents" without contravening the "we don't recognise civil partnership/gay marriage" thing was... well, either hilarious or painful, I'm not entirely sure which!

PS: I'm revising for my life in Australia test. I know all about mateship (it's qualitatively different to friendship) and a fair go! Now to start on the rules of cricket, oh wait, Brits are meant to know those, aren't they?

ETA:

So what's NOT included in the reform?

Gay marriage. And that whole "not even if you get married abroad" thing...