24th Jun 2013, 9:06 PM – Senate Sex Discrimination Amendment (Sexual Orientation, Gender Identity and Intersex Status) Bill 2013 - Second Reading - Commonwealth funded aged care

The majority voted in favour of government amendments (1)-(3).(Read the discussion leading up to the division here. ) This means that they were successful.

The amendments relate to Commonwealth funded aged care and exclude this type of aged care from the exemption in the bill that allows religious organisations to discriminate on religious grounds. In other words, the amendments mean that religious organisations that provide Commonwealth funded age care cannot refuse to provide homosexual older people with their services. The purpose of the amendments is to ensure "the ability of older people to access aged care services without discrimination".(Read more about these amendments in their explanatory memorandum. )

Liberal Senator Sue Boyce rebelled in this division by crossing the floor and voting 'aye' with the Government.(Read more about what it means to rebel in our FAQ section. )

Background to the bill

This bill provides new protections against discrimination on the basis of a person’s sexual orientation, gender identity and intersex status.(Read more about the bill in its bills digest (352 KB).) It also provides protection against discrimination for same-sex de facto couples.

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