by Rex Wockner
International News
Australia's government said April 29 it will change some 100 laws to extend equal rights to same-sex couples.
But the move will not include access to marriage, which is explicitly banned by existing law.
"The changes will provide for equality of treatment under a wide range of Commonwealth laws between same-sex and opposite-sex de facto couples," said Attorney-General Robert McClelland.
"They will make a practical difference to the everyday lives of a group of our fellow Australians who have suffered discrimination under Commonwealth laws for far too long."
Areas targeted by the plan include taxes, pensions, social security, health care, elder care, veteran entitlements, workers compensation and workplace benefits.
All the changes are expected to be in place by the middle of 2009.
