Penny Wong (SA, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Minister for Corporate Governance and Responsibility) Share this | Hansard source

I think it is appropriate that I indicate Labor’s position in relation to this particular amendment. I am sure that those in the chamber would be aware of Labor’s policy position. Our platform states clearly that a Labor government would remove discrimination—for, say, marriage—that exists in Commonwealth legislation on the basis of sexual orientation. Obviously, this amendment is consistent with that position and we support the principles behind the amendment. I share some of the views that Senator Bartlett has outlined.

We have closely considered the HREOC report, which identified 58, or thereabouts, pieces of legislation in which discrimination exists against same-sex couples, particularly in relation to financial related benefits. Our spokesperson has stated publicly that we support the recommendations of the Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission in that report and that in government we would implement them. I think it is safe to say that the position that Labor now has in relation to these issues is the most progressive and advantageous in relation to same-sex couples that Labor has ever stated and publicly put on the record in the federal sphere. I also note that state Labor governments have obviously led the way in clearing away discrimination on the basis of sexuality.

However, this particular amendment has significant cost implications. Senator Bartlett identified that, if this amendment were passed, there would be some cost savings and also some additional costs. We are conscious of that. If we were to win government, this would be an issue that we would approach sensibly, consistent with our platform and our public commitments. It would require us to undertake a proper analysis of the costs associated with it. We are not able to do that in opposition. For the reasons that I have outlined, we are not able to support this particular amendment on this occasion.