Gay MPs win spousal travel benefits

Australian federal MPs and senators in same-sex relationships are now entitled to receive spousal travel benefits for government funded overseas study trips.

Previously the benefit was only available to heterosexual politicians and their partners.

Leader of the Greens, openly gay senator Bob Brown, was informed this week of the change by the Commonwealth Renumeration Tribunal.

Brown told Sydney Star Observer he had been on to them about this issue for years.

I read this as coming in the wake of Howard’s recent statement saying he was going to reduce some of the discriminatory measures against same-sex couples, Brown said.

It’s a tiny little thing but it’s one more change.

The Renumeration Tribunal amended its travel entitlements rules so parliamentarians could give their spousal travel benefits to a nominee.

All members of parliament are entitled to overseas travel for the purpose of study after they have been in parliament for three years. They are permitted to one overseas study trip with their spouse in the life of each parliament.