Australia Labor Party Endorses Gay Platform

(Sydney)  The new leader of Australia's opposition Labor Party has endorsed a strong gay rights package in its election platform including recognizing same-sex couples.

Mark Latham said Sunday that a Labor government would give gay and lesbian couples the same rights and financial status as heterosexual couples.

Latham would also introduce a voluntary system to allow same-sex couples to gain full access to the medical, pension, care giver, and parental entitlements of heterosexual couples.

But, he said that he would not be in favor of same-sex marriage. 

He also said the party would enact legislation banning anti-gay discrimination in immigration, family law, industrial relations and government benefits, and toughen hate-crime laws.

Latham became leader of the party last month.  

The Victorian Council for Civil Liberties called the move the strongest commitment to human rights for gay men and lesbians by any major political party.

"These are the things that matter to people and Labor has promised to do everything that has been asked," said Jamie Gardiner, VCCL vice president and a leading gay activist.  But he added that gay marriage is an issue that will have to dealt with "at some stage".