The Government has introduced the Sex Discrimination Amendment (Sexual Orientation, Gender Identity and Intersex Status) Bill 2013 into the House of Representatives.

If passed the Sex Discrimination Act will be amended to extend the protection from discrimination to the new grounds of sexual orientation, gender identity, and intersex status.

The existing ground of ‘marital status’ will be extended to ‘marital or relationship status’ to provide protection from discrimination for same-sex de facto couples.

Discrimination on these new grounds will be unlawful in the same circumstances as for other grounds already covered by the SDA. The changes ensure that same-sex relationships will be treated in the same way as other de facto relationships for the purposes of Commonwealth entitlements and programs, including taxation, superannuation, health, aged care, immigration, child support and family law.

The Senate Legal and Constitutional Affairs Legislation Committee has an inquiry into the Bill.