The Wire

In order to receive the same entitlements as straight de facto couples, same sex de factos will need to register their relationship with Centrelink, starting next week. The welfare reform is part of wider changes implemented following the Australian Human Rights Commission report on same sex equality. Based on the report, “Same sex: Same Entitlements”, the Government has amended 84 Commonwealth laws across tax, health and social security payments. While the reforms allow couples to access benefits previously denied to them, there is a twist.