Well it only took a couple of emails and several weeks to get an answer to a simple question.. the simple question being "Can someone please explain why same sex couples are being discriminated against for this visa?"
Thank you for your emails of 17 and 26 February 2009, concerning your wish to bring your partner to Australia. I regret the delay in responding to you.
Under the current Regulations, the subclass 461 visa is not available to same sex partners.
The Australian Government believes that people, regardless of their sexuality, are entitled to respect, dignity and the opportunity to participate in society and receive the protection of the law. The Government is removing discrimination against same-sex de facto couples and their children from Commonwealth laws and policies. Following these reforms, same-sex de facto relationships will be treated in the same way that opposite-sex de facto relationships are treated for the purposes of Commonwealth entitlements and programs.
Under proposed changes to the Migration Regulations 1994, any visa that is currently available to a spouse as a principal applicant or as a member of the family unit of a principal applicant will also be available to a de facto partner. It is intended that these amendments come into effect on 1 July 2009, together with amendments made to the Migration Act 1958 by the Same-Sex Relationships (Equal Treatment in Commonwealth Laws–General Law Reform) Act 2008.
Once introduced, these proposed amendments will overcome the issues for same-sex de facto couples that you have highlighted regarding the Subclass 461 visa.
regards
H. Harcourt
Migration and Visa Policy
Department of Immigration and Citizenship
At least I can rest assure that when it is time to make the move things will be a little easier and now cheaper to get the best visa.. whenever that may be.
I have to say that I find it amusing that they ignore my first email and then when they realise I do actually want an answer they then forward it on further and then I get this big long reply.. which is nice and it is good that things are actually being changed and its not all talk.. but I guess we will really see after July 1st!
Now if we could only get an answer about the tent we ordered.. other than "we will call you back later today" and then they never call.. seriously what has happened to customer service in this world? Are we really being that over run by stupids that it is becoming the norm to just accept it and eventually turn into one of the stupids? Well I simply refuse to be a stupid! Call me an outcast if you want I don't care...
...and now the answer...
Dear JoThank you for your emails of 17 and 26 February 2009, concerning your wish to bring your partner to Australia. I regret the delay in responding to you.
Under the current Regulations, the subclass 461 visa is not available to same sex partners.
The Australian Government believes that people, regardless of their sexuality, are entitled to respect, dignity and the opportunity to participate in society and receive the protection of the law. The Government is removing discrimination against same-sex de facto couples and their children from Commonwealth laws and policies. Following these reforms, same-sex de facto relationships will be treated in the same way that opposite-sex de facto relationships are treated for the purposes of Commonwealth entitlements and programs.
Under proposed changes to the Migration Regulations 1994, any visa that is currently available to a spouse as a principal applicant or as a member of the family unit of a principal applicant will also be available to a de facto partner. It is intended that these amendments come into effect on 1 July 2009, together with amendments made to the Migration Act 1958 by the Same-Sex Relationships (Equal Treatment in Commonwealth Laws–General Law Reform) Act 2008.
Once introduced, these proposed amendments will overcome the issues for same-sex de facto couples that you have highlighted regarding the Subclass 461 visa.
regards
H. Harcourt
Migration and Visa Policy
Department of Immigration and Citizenship
At least I can rest assure that when it is time to make the move things will be a little easier and now cheaper to get the best visa.. whenever that may be.
I have to say that I find it amusing that they ignore my first email and then when they realise I do actually want an answer they then forward it on further and then I get this big long reply.. which is nice and it is good that things are actually being changed and its not all talk.. but I guess we will really see after July 1st!
Now if we could only get an answer about the tent we ordered.. other than "we will call you back later today" and then they never call.. seriously what has happened to customer service in this world? Are we really being that over run by stupids that it is becoming the norm to just accept it and eventually turn into one of the stupids? Well I simply refuse to be a stupid! Call me an outcast if you want I don't care...
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