Turnbull takes on mission for gay and lesbian rights
Phillip Coorey and Sherrill Nixon August 13, 2007
MALCOLM TURNBULL has embarked on a personal crusade to convince his cabinet colleagues to allow same-sex couples the same legal and financial rights as heterosexual married and de facto couples. With cabinet preparing to discuss proposed changes, possibly as early as today, the Herald has learnt that Mr Turnbull, the federal Minister for the Environment, has stepped up his push by individually lobbying fellow ministers for support.
The discrimination faced by same-sex couples was highlighted a month ago when the High Court judge Michael Kirby called for the law to be changed so his partner of 38 years, Johan van Vloten, could have access to a part-pension payable for life should Justice Kirby die first. This right would be automatic if Mr van Vloten were female. The Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission published a report in June finding same-sex couples were discriminated against in 58 areas of financial and work-related entitlements.
The Attorney-General, Philip Ruddock, is refusing to comment on the state of deliberations or what he will be taking to cabinet, but the Herald understands Mr Turnbull was involved in helping draft the proposals and wants to steer them through cabinet."It's Turnbull who's been pushing for the reforms since the [commission] report," a colleague said.
The backbenchers Warren Entsch, Greg Hunt and Peter Slipper have also lobbied intensely. Mr Turnbull's eastern suburbs seat of Wentworth has a large gay and lesbian population, but a colleague of Mr Turnbull said his motive went beyond retaining his seat. Mr Turnbull's wife, Lucy, is the chairwoman of the AIDS Trust, and the Turnbulls have often raised money for the Bobby Goldsmith Foundation. Read more here.
Wednesday, August 15, 2007
Wentworth Fun Run
Friday, August 03, 2007
Catching up with Paris on Cycling...
Paris bike scheme clocks up 1m rides
Parisians have taken a shine to their city's new bike rental scheme, clocking up 1 million rides since its launch, Paris city hall has announced. More than 10,000 gleaming grey "Velib" bicycles went up for rental at 750 stations across the city on July 15. Their number is set to double to 20,600 by the end of the year. City authorities want residents and tourists to adopt the eco-friendly new system enmasse. Deputy Mayor for Transport Denis Baupin says each bike is already used on average six times per day.
"Once all the stations are up and running, Velib will be carrying as many people as the Paris tramway,"
Velib, a contraction of the French words "velo" (bike) and "liberte" (freedom), is modelled on a successful scheme in the city of Lyon run by advertising giant JC Decaux. JC Decaux is covering the cost of the venture in exchange for exclusive rights to 1,600 hoardings across the city. Registered bikers pay 29 euros ($A46) a year for the rental service, while occasional cyclists can use a credit card to pay a one-off daily fee of 1 euro ($1.60) or weekly charge of 5 euros ($8). Rental is free for the first half hour, rising to 1 euro for the second, 2 for the next and so on - a progressive fee system that is designed to encourage short rents and quick turnover.
Paris joins such European cities as Barcelona, Geneva, Stockholm, Oslo and Vienna, which offer bicycle rentals to try to reduce the number of cars, improve air quality and provide a fun alternative to underground transport.
Tags: environment, france