Brandis Confirms Super Delay

Speaking last Thursday on the Rainbow Report on Joy Melbourne 94.9, Shadow Attorney General George Brandis confirmed that the Senate enquiry into equalising superannuation for same sex couples would not be over in a couple of days and the bill would not pass in time to come into effect at the start of the new financial year.

The MP3 file is here Rainbow Report Brandis Interview (15Mb).

You can download the whole show, which also includes an interview on the same subject with Sen. Kerry Nettle here (55Mb).

Sen. Brandis also refused to give any guarantees that the Liberal party would support the backdating of any changes to the start of the financial year.

He said the Coalition would wait for the Omnibus Bill, which will amend other pieces of legislation identified by HREOC and the Attorney-General's office as discriminating against gays and lesbians, and consider the two bills together.

This means reform will likely be delayed at least until September.

He denied this was a delaying tactic, saying the profound changes proposed meant the bills could not be allowed to proceed without thorough scrutiny.

He distanced himself from the more extreme comments made during the House debate on the same sex bill, such as those of Stuart Robert and Donna Vale, reminding listeners of his record on supporting gay rights. He said that while he respected their views, he will be the one piloting these measures through the Senate on the Coalition's behalf.

The Rainbow Report - News & Current Affairs with a queer slant. Joy Melbourne 94.9, every Thursday 7-8pm, streaming live at www.joy.org.au, hosted by yours truly, Doug Pollard.