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Same-Sex Immigrant Couples Waiting Periods/ Length of Relationships Corrective in a Public Statement |
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Compiled by GayToday
New Zealand's Immigration Minister Hon Tuariki Delamere has announced that his
government has decided to end discrimination against
same-sex de facto couples who seek to emigrate to New Zealand.
"Under current policy, same-sex de facto couples are discriminated against in several ways, relative to people who are married or are in heterosexual de facto relationships," he said. "Same-sex couples have to show their relationship is at least of four years duration before it is recognized for the purposes of residence eligibility, whereas de facto heterosexual couples have to show they've been together for only two years. "Similarly, where a decision for residence application is deferred, the deferral period for heterosexual de facto couples is up to two years, but same-sex couples may have to wait for four years. "There are further areas of discrimination. Because a partner in a same-sex relationship is not recognized as a non-principal applicant (unlike a heterosexual partner), a same-sex couple cannot qualify for residence through a single application in the same way that a heterosexual couple can. "Either both partners need to apply and qualify separately as targeted migrants (paying separate fees) or one partner must first qualify and subsequently sponsor the other through the Family category. "Also, the principal applicant in a same-sex relationship does not have the opportunity to claim up to two points which are available under the General Skills category points system for spousal qualifications. "Since the Human Rights Act 1993 prohibits discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation, Government has decided to amend Residence Policy to align the provisions governing the recognition of same-sex de facto relationships with those that currently apply to heterosexual de facto relationships," said Mr Delamere. The Immigration Minister chose the new broadcasting facilities of Triangle TV as the venue for his announcement. The changes will take effect on March 29, 1999 When asked if the new policy would apply to couples who have already made application and who are currently waiting out the four-year period under current policy, the Minister said that he would take a dim view if any of his officials were to "play hard-ball" over their situation. Which means that come 29 March 1999 there will be a few couples who find that their waiting time has been reduced? Let's hope so!} Related Stories from the GayToday Archive: Australia: Tasmania Embraces Gay Students Love Rights - Who Needs 'Em? Too Many Sydney Gays Bareback Related Sites: Hawaii Gay Marriage Bureau Partners Task Force for G&L Couples GayToday does not endorse related sites. |
