Same sex changes to take effect today

Same sex changes to take effect today

Previously passed same sex changes take effect today. The changes remove discrimination against same sex couples, although conversely mean that for same sex couples who have both been claiming Centrelink benefits, there will likely be a reduction in benefits, as their relationships are now recognised.

The changes include changes to Medicare, tax, Centrelink and immigration. They represent the carrying out of promises by the ALP before the last election. Altogether 84 pieces of legislation have been changed.

The list of huge changes is here.

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Things to Read, Watch & Listen

Egg Freezing in Prison: The High Court’s Decision in Smith

Does a prison sentence also mean losing the opportunity to become a parent after release? That question sits at the heart of Smith v Chief Executive, Queensland Corrective Services, a powerful High Court decision about egg freezing, fertility preservation and the limits of punishment. The High Court unanimously found that egg freezing did not fall… Read More »Egg Freezing in Prison: The High Court’s Decision in Smith

Donor limits Queensland: lesbian couples now one family

A lesbian couple using the same sperm donor should not become two families simply because both women want to carry a child. That is the straightforward principle behind Queensland Health’s reversal of its guidance on donor limits. The revised guidance recognises those women as one family for the purposes of Queensland’s donor limit. It removes… Read More »Donor limits Queensland: lesbian couples now one family

Page Provan Calls for Repeal of Surrogacy Parentage Regulation Changes

On 9 October 2026, our director Stephen Page wrote to the Attorney-General, the Hon Michelle Rowland MP, calling for the repeal of Part 3 of the Family Law Amendment (2026 Measures No. 1) Regulations 2026. If left in place, these regulations will remove the statutory presumptions that currently help establish the legal parentage of children… Read More »Page Provan Calls for Repeal of Surrogacy Parentage Regulation Changes

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