Thank you for providing the opportunity to outline the views of the Coalition on these important issues. On behalf of Coalition Members of Parliament and candidates, I am pleased to respond to your recent survey.

I believe the choice at the coming election will be the starkest for a generation and you can be assured our policies reflect both the plans and experiences of the Government, in contrast to the risk posed by a Labor Party with 70 percent of its front bench drawn from trade unions.

In particular, we will be asking Australians to consider which party can best grow a vibrant economy creating employment and prosperity for individual Australians and the means by which government can invest further in areas such as health, education, the environment and assisting the disadvantaged. The Coalition's early announcement of a bold, wide·ranging tax reform plan to significantly reduce taxes for all individual taxpayers is an example of what is possible through disciplined economic management over many years.

Throughout the election campaign we will be progressively announcing further policies outlining our vision for Australia's future.

Once announced, these policies will be available at

www.liberal.org.au and www.nationals.org.au

Once again, thank you for helping us to communicate the

Coalition's plans for Australia to your members.

Yours sincerely

Brian Loughnane

Federal Campaign Director

COALITION RESPONSE TO THE AUSTRALIAN COALITION FOR EQUALITY

Respect for diversity in our community

The Coalition is committed to the Australian traditions of tolerance and respect for diversity. The Coalition believes that everyone should have the opportunity to participate in our community, experience the benefits and accept the responsibilities that flow from such participation, without fear of discrimination.

The Coalition is in favour of removing discrimination against people in interdependent relationships, including same-sex relationships. Further changes to relevant legislation and programs will be considered on a case-by-case basis. This will be done in consultation with the relevant stakeholders, taking into account the underlying legal, policy and fiscal implications.

The Coalition Government is giving serious consideration to the recommendations of the Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission's report Same-Sex: Same Entitlements. The report will inform any changes made to the relevant government programs.

It is important to note that a number of significant changes to eliminate discriminatory treatment against persons in interdependent relationships, including same-sex relationships, have already been made.

An example of the Coalition removing discrimination against persons in interdependent relationships is the move to allow superannuation funds to make payments to people in interdependent relationships. For example, the Superannuation Industry (Supervision) Act 1993 (the SIS Act) allowed trustees, at their discretion, to pay a member's accumulated benefits to the member's dependants or legal personal representative if the member died. Amendments made to the SIS Act in 1999 permit funds to change their governing rules to provide for binding death benefit nominations. Consequently, if a person is a member of a fund which provides for binding nominations, that person can nominate a same-sex partner who is a dependant.

The Coalition Government also agreed to extend certain conditions of service entitlements to members of the Australian Defence Force in interdependent relationships, which includes members with same sex partners.

It is also important to note that the Workplace Relations Act 1996 contains provisions that prohibit an employer from terminating a person's employment on various specified grounds, including their sexual preference.

There are a number of other matters relating to same sex couples, such as property disputes on the breakdown of a relationship, which are properly a matter for the States and Territories. All States and Territories of Australia prohibit discrimination on the grounds of sexual preference in a range of areas of public life, including education and employment. The majority of States and Territories also prohibit harassment on the ground of sexual preference.

Marriage and civil unions

The Coalition believes overwhelmingly in the institution of marriage and, in 2004, acted to define in legislation the common understanding in our community of marriage which is 'the union of a man and a woman, to the exclusion of all others, voluntarily entered into for life'. Accordingly amendments were made to the formal definition of marriage in the Marriage Act 1961 and were passed with bi-partisan support in 2004.

The Government's inclusion of a definition of marriage in the Marriage Act 1961 is not an expression of discrimination. The changes do not seek to prevent people from entering into same sex relationships. The amendments arc about the special status of marriage.

The Australian Government does not regulate civil unions and relationship registers. The regulation of same-sex relationships is a matter for the States and Territories. In that context, the Coalition has no plans to introduce civil unions or relationship registers for same-sex couples.

Adoption

The adoption of children is generally a matter for each State and Territory. The Australian Government has taken on responsibility for the management of intercountry adoption programs and the establishment of new programs. However, State and Territory Central Authorities retain responsibility for the processing and management of individual adoption applications.

Australia's intercountry adoption programs facilitate the adoption of children from other countries. Australia is a party to the Hague Convention on Protection of Children and Co-operation in respect of Intercountry Adoption and is committed to safeguarding the interests of children subject to intercountry adoption. Adoptions that are validly made under the domestic law of another country, including adoptions by expatriate Australians, will be recognised in Australia in certain circumstances if visa requirements are met.

The Coalition recognises the importance of adoption to family creation and believes that all children should have the opportunity to be raised by a mother and a father wherever possible. There are many Australians who wish to take part in overseas adoption. Many more than there are children available. Great care has to be taken in addressing the suitability of adoptive parents including meeting the requirements of the child's country of origin.

Health

The Coalition is concerned about the rise in rates of HIV infection over the past years. Victoria receives funding from the Commonwealth through the 5 year Public Health Outcome funding Agreements (PHOFA) to deliver key public health messages. In 2005-06, $160m was provided to all states and territories under these agreements. In recognition of the rise of rates of HIV, particularly in Victoria, the Coalition has invested a further $ 10m in 2007-08 to raise the issue of sexual health in a media campaign on STI/HIV prevention.

This is in addition of approximately $3m per year allocated for national HIV/ AIDS education, health promotion and policy programme. This assists in the implementation of the National HIV/ AIDS Strategy 2005-08. The Coalition has also expanded funding of $8.3m on HIV, STI and Hepatitis C research. The Coalition is committed to the importance of the National HIV/ AIDS Strategy and will look forward to working with all stakeholders to develop future strategies.