By Rebecca Codey
ADF
members in recognised same-sex relationships will benefit from
the same range of conditions of service as military personnel
in recognised de facto relationships because of a change in ADF
policy.
The change, which brings recognition of interdependent same-sex
partners into line with public service employees in Defence and
other Government agencies, reflects Defence’s commitment
to a fair, inclusive and equitable workplace, according to Sue
Parr, Director General Personnel Policy and Employment Conditions.
Ms Parr said benefits now available to recognised same-sex couples
included Defence housing assistance, removals on posting, leave
travel and location allowances when posted to remote localities,
reunion travel when separated and education assistance.
To be recognised for conditions of service purposes, a relationship
between an ADF member and another person of the same sex needs
to meet a number of conditions.
The couple must have a close personal relationship, one or each
of them must be responsible for providing the other with financial
support, and one or each of them must be responsible for providing
the other with domestic support and personal care.
ADF members with same-sex partners may apply to have their relationship
recognised on the basis of this interdependency.
Ms Parr said homosexual ADF members had been widely accepted by
the Defence community since the 1992 abolition of policy prohibiting
homosexuals serving in the military.
“Defence has been in consultation with the Human Rights and
Equal Opportunity Commissioner for some time with a view to amending
its policies regarding the recognition of same-sex relationships
on the basis of interdependency,” she said.
ADF members with same sex partners may apply to have their relationship
recognised on the basis of interdependency from the date the changes
are implemented on December 1 this year.
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