Dear Ms Clark,
We understand the Labour/Alliance Coalition will reconsider the issue of same-sex couples and benefits in April.
As you know, same-sex couples still do not have next-of-kin rights, the right to adoption, custody or access to children conceived in a same-sex relationship, and a raft of other rights which heterosexual couples take for granted. The Auckland Women's Centre believes it is unacceptable for the government to consider reducing the income of same-sex couples on benefits before these couples have these human rights.
The Labour Party has talked a lot about rights for same-sex couples, lesbians and gay people. But apart from the Property Relationships Act, very little of this has come to pass.
We want rights for same sex couples before responsibilities.
The Auckland Women's Centre supports human rights and autonomy for all women, whether lesbian, bisexual or heterosexual, in relationships or not. Forcing an adult to be economically dependent on another adult is a denial of full citizenship. Women are more affected by the forced economic dependence that is built into benefit rules, and this is a major contributor to women's poverty. Holding one partner responsible for the financial welfare of the other is definitely not in the interests of lesbian autonomy. Financial independence is essential for equality in intimate relationships.
Current laws about benefits discriminate on the basis of marital status, and Human Rights Act provisions should apply. We advocate that the law should treat heterosexual people financially in the same way that lesbians are currently treated - as individuals. Entitlement and assessment for income support and tax should be individual for everyone. This model supports women's autonomy and would enable all women to have an independent income.
The Auckland Women's Centre has been serving the women of Auckland since 1979. (It was originally known as the Auckland Women's Health Collective). Our mission is promote empowerment and wellbeing for all women.We are committed to working for change for women from feminist perspectives, including being non-discriminatory in regards to ethnicity, age, sexual orientation, income, ability etc.
Yours sincerely,
Paulette Benton-Greig
Coordinator.