Prime Minister John Howard, who is struggling in opinion polls ahead of an election expected later this year, announced changes to the country's marriage law May 27.

The amendments are all but certain to be enacted by Parliament after the opposition Labor Party declared its support.

Australia's federal government is responsible for laws on marriage and immigration. But the country's six states regulate adoption, and some could object to Howard's planned anti-gay and lesbian adoption push.

In a concession to gays and lesbians the government, however, has announced that same-sex partners will be recognized for the first time by federal authorities as dependents. This means a gay or lesbian will be able to get a partner's state pension paid out after his or her partner dies. Previously only married and common-law partners and children had this right.

The Japan Times Weekly: June 5, 2004
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