Same-Sex Relationships (Equal Treatment in Commonwealth Laws - Superannuation) Act 2008 - Proclamation

This document is a formal proclamation that activates part of the superannuation equality reforms. It sets 1 January 2009 as the date when Schedule 1 of the Same-Sex Relationships (Equal Treatment in Commonwealth Laws — Superannuation) Act 2008 comes into force.

What this means in practice:

From 1 January 2009, same-sex couples became entitled to equal treatment under Commonwealth superannuation laws
Same-sex partners could be recognised as 'dependants' or 'spouses' for superannuation death benefits (payments made to family when a super fund member dies)
Tax concessions and payment options that previously only applied to married or opposite-sex de facto couples became available to same-sex couples

This proclamation itself is an administrative mechanism—it does not contain the rights directly, but rather switches on the legal changes contained in the main Act.

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Proclamation

Same-Sex Relationships (Equal Treatment in Commonwealth Laws — Superannuation) Act 2008

I, QUENTIN BRYCE, Governor-General of the Commonwealth of Australia, acting with the advice of the Federal Executive Council and under item 2 of the table in subsection 2 (1) of the Same-Sex Relationships (Equal Treatment in Commonwealth Laws — Superannuation) Act 2008, fix 1 January 2009 as the day on which Schedule 1 to that Act commences.

Signed and sealed with the Great Seal of Australia on 12 December 2008

QUENTIN BRYCE Governor-General

By Her Excellency’s Command

ROBERT McCLELLAND

Attorney-General