not too much

In Parliament yesterday, Labor moved to have the Government bring on its promised law to provide equal superannuation benefits to same-sex couples. Government members voted against the motion - supposedly against their own policy. Thus Labor complains that although the Government is acting with haste on marriages, it is delaying access to superannuation rights for same-sex couples. Labor's spokesperson says that, "Same sex couples are entitled to ask if the Government's package is for real and when the Government will deliver on their promise to reform superannuation laws." This is the text of the Labor motion:

Ms Roxon moved:
That so much of the standing and sessional orders be suspended as would require: (1) the Member for Berowra [the Attorney General, Mr Ruddock] to present forthwith a Bill to remove discrimination under Commonwealth law in respect of the superannuation entitlements of same sex couples; and (2) debate continuing immediately on the Bill and taking priority over all other business until the consideration by the House of all stages of the Bill has been concluded.

Here Labor is being too clever by half, as there is no way the Government could allow this badly worded motion to proceed unless the Bill were drafted, printed and actually ready for presentation by the Attorney-General there and then.