The Government has introduced new superannuation legislation which recognises same-sex couples and their children, Minister for Superannuation and Corporate Law Nick Sherry announced.
The Same-Sex Relationships (Equal Treatment in Commonwealth Laws-Superannuation) Act 2008 makes it easier for regulated superannuation funds to recognise same-sex relationships from July 1, 2008.
Under the new legislation, a number of Commonwealth civilian and military superannuation schemes will be amended to make death benefits available to same-sex de facto partners and children of a same-sex relationship.
It is expected that from January 1, 2009, same-sex de facto couples will be treated the same as opposite-sex de facto couples for the purposes of these schemes.
The legislation will also amend related taxation legislation affecting superannuation death benefits and other acts that regulate the superannuation industry.
"We encourage all superannuation funds across Australia to make provision for same-sex couples and their children so that this discrimination is completely removed from the superannuation industry," Sherry said.
