not too much

As I work in the Australian Public Service Department that is administering the federal takeover of the Mersey Hospital, I cannot comment generally about the matter. However, I note that, in a media release today (31 Oct 07), the Tasmanian Gay and Lesbian Rights Group asks whether gay, lesbian and bisexual staff at the Mersey Hospital will continue to have the equal workplace entitlements they enjoy under Tasmanian law if and when the hospital comes under federal control. I would speculate that the answer us " Yes", but I don't actually know the answer.

Spokesperson Rodney Croome said that Tasmanian public sector employees who are in same-sex relationships have equal superannuation and leave entitlements, but this is not the case for their Commonwealth counterparts because of the Howard Government's refusal to recognise same-sex couples. "Either the Mersey Hospital's gay, lesbian and bisexual staff will be disadvantaged by the transfer, or they will be treated as a special case, begging the question why shouldn't all Commonwealth employees have equal rights", Mr Croome said. "I have been contacted by gay employees at the Mersey who are worried about their entitlements as potential Commonwealth employees and who deserve clarity."

Concerns about the rights of Mersey employees in same-sex relationships comes in the wake of a deal guaranteeing equal staff entitlements if and when the Hospital is transfered from state to federal control. Mr Croome said that Minister for Heath and Ageing Tony Abbott's traditional opposition to the recognition of same-sex relationships is irrelevant to the Mersey Hospital. "This is a matter of practical, everyday, workplace entitlements and has no impact or bearing on the definition of marriage."