RECOMMENDATIONS
Recommendation 1
3.128 The committee recommends that the definition of
'child' within the Bill be amended to align it with the amended definition of
'child of a de facto relationship' proposed for the Family Law Act 1975 in
the amendments circulated by the Government to the Family Law Amendment (De
Facto Financial Matters and Other Measures) Bill 2008 in response to a
bipartisan recommendation of this committee on that bill.
Recommendation 2
3.129 The committee recommends that all government
departments and agencies responsible for providing Commonwealth benefits be
required to:
- develop and implement user-friendly initiatives and strategies to
inform clients and staff of the proposed changes no later than 31 March 2009; and
- provide training to front line and other service staff to ensure
that same-sex clients are not treated prejudicially or in a judgemental manner
as they interact with the department or agency.
Recommendation 3
3.130 The committee recommends that the Government
give further consideration to what administrative or regulatory mechanisms may
be available to appropriately manage the impact of the reforms on same-sex
couples who may have benefits reduced under the changes.
Recommendation 4
3.131 Subject to the above recommendations, the
committee recommends that the Senate pass the Bill.
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