Pre-election reform ‘dead in the water’

John Howard’s Cabinet is this week expected to reconsider its position on same-sex law reform.
Sources inside the Liberal Party told SSO a key member of Cabinet now supported the reforms. It follows the Government last week stalling a last-ditch effort by Labor, Democrats and Greens to pass the equality reforms.
Publicly, Liberals are saying no commitment or policy will be offered before the election.
We’d be interested in a conscience vote to try get some rights for same-sex couples, certainly superannuation, but after the election. It’s all over red rover now, Liberal backbencher Dr Mal Washer told SSO.
Washer was part of a voluntary cross-party ad hoc committee that recommended the Democrats’ Same-Sex: Same Entitlements Bill be enacted as a matter of urgency.
The report also recommended anti-discrimination protections for gay and lesbian people and greater federal recognition of state-based relationship registries.
Nationals Senator Barnaby Joyce was the only dissenter, though he did support Commonwealth superannuation reforms.
Washer warned lobbyists to accept and build on the support for limited financial reforms and leave the remaining recommendations, like parenting rights, for another term.
One step at a time, otherwise you blur the issue and sometimes you try to do too much at once and you don’t get anything, Washer said.
Democrats leader Lyn Allison, who led the committee, said she was pleased with the consensus on superannuation.
I know it’s slow, and gay and lesbian people are frustrated and annoyed, and we are too, but we’re in a better position than we were 10 or two years ago and it’s moving in the right direction, she said.
Justice Minister David Johnson said if equity was given to one profession of public servants in same-sex relationships, all same-sex couples would want the same.
The Government is not saying no. We are considering this. It seems we are going down this path. It is not going to happen tonight; it is not going to happen in the immediate term, he told Parliament.
ComSuper Action Committee spokesman John Challis said, At 78 years old, I’m not very impressed by the Government’s leisurely approach to this issue.