Thank
you Navy
Thank you for the most magnificent cheque you have presented to
the Canberra Bushfire Recovery Appeal.
Your generosity and that of your colleagues will be a great encouragement
to those who suffered in the Canberra bushfires of January 18.
Please pass on my thanks to all Navy personnel who contributed
to the appeal and especially to those from HMAS Darwin whose gifts
were outstanding.
Please be assured of my warmed good wishes for you and your colleagues
as you take on whatever responsibilities lie ahead.
The
Right Reverend George Browning
Bishop of Canberra and Goulburn
Same sex recognition
I am writing to ask if there is any hope of seeing a change made
to our current policy regarding same sex relationship recognition.
I am currently in a same sex relationship and have been now for
18 months. I have been operationally deployed for six of these
months and have just been deployed again for a further six.
I feel that the simple yet enormous task of changing policy to
read partner instead of spouse would go a long way to helping
people that fall into the same sex relationship category.
The peace of mind, of stability and support would improve mine
and many others focus and desire to remain an integral part of
one of the best organisations in the world.
I do realise that a lot is already being done with regards to
educating people that it is OK to be gay and that there are now
some support structures starting to arise and help us. But I feel
this is just the start, and we have to work hard to make this
work for us.
There are still a few hurdles for us to cross and I feel that
the above mentioned changes to policy would go a great way to
helping us in removing those hurdles.
I look forward to serving you.
ABMT
White PJ
addl07e@l51.navy.gov.au
HMAS KANIMBLA
Following
is response to the letter:
The current ADF policy on Recognition of De facto Marriages (DI(G)
Pers 53-1) prevents recognition of same sex partner relationships
for the purpose of awarding financial benefits and entitlements.
The present policy is linked to the Sex Discrimination Act 1984
and the Family Law Act 1975, both of which define de facto spouses
as being persons of the opposite sex. While the existing policy
remains in force, the ADF is not able to recognise same sex partnerships.
That said, the de facto marriages policy in DI(G) Pers 53-1 is
presently under routine review. As part of the review process,
all contemporary matters relating to the policy will be assessed
for efficacy in meeting the needs of all ADF people.
The review is in it’s early stages and any policy changes
that might be recommended will need to undergo a comprehensive
approval process. At present, we are too early in the review process
to predict outcomes or set a promulgation date.
Essentially, this policy is based on the laws of the Commonwealth.
Until these are changed, it is unlikely Defence policy will be
significantly modified. A change in law such as this is a matter
for Government and it’s constituents.
DCN,
RADM Rowan Moffitt
The opinions expressed in letters to the editor
do not represent the views of the editor or the Navy. Sailors
wishing to air their views through letters to the editor have
access to the newspaper without using the chain of command. Letters
may be edited. Preference will be given to letters of fewer than
300 words. The letter will be published only when it includes
the author’s name, unit (where applicable), location and
contact number. If the author has a genuine reason for remaining
anonymous, he or she must still provide details to allow Navy
Newspaper staff members to discuss the matter. Send your letters
to:
The Editor — Navy Newspaper
R8-LG-039
Department of Defence, Canberra 2600; or email to:
navynews@defencenews.gov.au
