New Centrelink Laws & Grandfather Clause campaign

Due to Federal Same-Sex Laws re “Equal Treatment” - which is not fair !

1. What has happened - the legislation – Same-Sex Relationships (Equal Treatment in Commonwealth Laws - General Law Reforms) Act 2008, passed late last year.

2. The background /context – 2007 Report: Same Sex, Same Entitlements 2007 by Human Rights & Equal Opportunity Commission (now called Human Right Commission), election promises, community pressure. Note that the Attorney-General was the minister responsible & he is the one who can now change it – albeit with support from Caucus and Cabinet and encouragement from others!

3. What is the problem – Centrelink entitlements to be changed with presumption of relationships as same as heterosexual couples without any “grandfathering”). With the new law those deemed by Centrelink as being in a same-sex relationships will be deemed couples after 30 June this year. This means for example those now on single Age Pension, Disability Support Pension & Carers Payments will lose amounts up to $92/fortnight from existing rates of payment or may be completely denied entitlement if they have a partner who is employed/on a private income. In this latter case the partner is presumed to provide income for both.

4. Proposed solutions - what we want ("demands") is legislation to allow current recipients to stay on current payments ie a Grandfather Clause to be introduced with the new Same Sex Laws.

5. What we want this particular person to do – depending on their role introduce or support the amending bill to parliament, lobby various ministers, network with community groups to encourage letter writing, visits to politicians and action within political groups. .

Letter Writing Campaign
Sample Letters
Press Release
Come walk with us at mardi gra

• Prime Minister: The Hon Kevin Michael Rudd,
  E-mail: www.pm.gov.au

• Attorney-General: The Hon Robert Bruce McClelland,

E-mail: R.McClelland.MP@aph.gov.au NOTE the A-G is the minister primarily responsible for this.

• Deputy Prime Minister: The Hon Julia Eileen Gillard, Julia.Gillard.MP@aph.gov.au

• Minister for Families, Housing, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs

The Hon Jennifer Louise (Jenny) Macklin, E-mail: JMacklin.MP@aph.gov.au

• Minister for Human Services (Includes Centrelink & Medicare) Junior Minister to Macklin: Senator the Hon Joe Ludwig, E-mail: minister@humanservices.gov.au

• Minister for Health and Ageing: The Hon Nicola Louise Roxon, Nicola.Roxon.MP@aph.gov.au

• Minister for Ageing (Junior Minister to Roxon): The Hon Maria Justine (Justine) Elliot, E-mail: Justine.Elliot.MP@aph.gov.au

• Minister for the Status of Women & Minister for Housing: The Hon Tanya Joan Plibersek, E-mail: Tanya.Plibersek.MP@aph.gov.au

• Leader of Opposition: The Hon Malcolm Bligh Turnbull, Malcolm.Turnbull.MP@aph.gov.au

• Leader of the House: The Hon Anthony Norman Albanese, A.Albanese.MP@aph.gov.au

• Parliamentarians - Local members + Senators for your state: Ask them to take it up with the Attorney-General + relevant ministers above.

Members’ contact details http://www.aph.gov.au/house/members/memlist.pdf

To find senators: http://www.aph.gov.au/senate/senators/index.htm

Hows & Whats of Effective Lobbying Letters

• Timeline – write ASAP as parliament sits again 3rd February.

• Write your letter in the usual letter style, include your postal address + email. Email it as an attachment. If possible also send a hard copy per snail mail.

• Be formal “Dear Minister”, “yours faithfully” etc.

• Be concise: say what the problem is & what you want the recipient to do.

• Brief & plain language is best – if you have details, use an attachment. Include real life stories (yours or factitious - first name only). Facts are better than agony, but do show the human face!

• Email a copy of your letter to COAL.