WA: WA govt law reforms to give gays, lesbians equality

AAP General News (Australia)
08-02-2001
WA: WA govt law reforms to give gays, lesbians equality

Same-sex couples could have the same property and superannuation rights as married
couples under reforms to be introduced to the West Australian parliament later this year.

Attorney-General JIM MCGINTY has foreshadowed the reforms under which same-sex couples
also could adopt children.

Mr MCGINTY has tabled a 200-page report by an advisory committee which shows the extent
of discrimination in Western Australia against gays and lesbians.

Among key recommendations of the 47-point report is that legislation be amended to
outlaw discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation.

The report also recommends that the homosexual consent age in Western Australia drop
to 16 from 21.

Western Australia is the only state where the homosexual consent age remains 21.

The measures will have parliamentary support of the Greens, who hold the balance of power.

AAP RTV sd/wz/jn

KEYWORD: GAY (PERTH)

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