Australia Moves To Recognise Gay Couples

The Australian government has passed legislation recognizing same-sex couples under a large number of laws, but the measure falls short of granting either marriage or civil unions.
The omnibus bill mounted its final hurdle Monday, winning approval in the Senate. The legislation passed the House in September. It still requires the signature of the Governor General, a formality, before going into effect.
The Same-Sex Entitlements Bill removes discrimination against same-sex partners in areas such as immigration, taxation, veterans’ pensions and aged care. It also abolishes discrimination against children of same-sex couples by granting equal rights to both parents.
In total, it amends 68 Commonwealth laws.

Passage of the legislation was a campaign promise of the Labor government of Prime Minister Kevin Rudd, although Rudd refused to repeal a law passed in 2004 by the former Liberal government that bars gay marriage