Senator VANSTONE (Minister for Family and Community Services and Minister Assisting the Prime Minister for the Status of Women) (12:23 PM) —The government is paying compensation on the basis of the current accepted social laws with respect to who is considered to be a spouse. This is not something that is being particularly targeted against gays or any other group at this time. This definition is used broadly in a broad social area and is accepted by the government as being a reflection of what the community would expect. I understand there are people who have a different view with respect to that. Senator Brown's contribution with respect to my own views was very sadly misplaced and ill-informed. The position is exactly as I have explained. That is the community expectation.

You have a different view. I know that there are other people in the community who have a different view. But the general community expectation is that the definition of `spouse' relates to heterosexual spouses. I understand you are unhappy with that. I understand you have campaigned in a wide range of areas to have that changed, but it has not been changed either federally or in the states. You have not yet won sufficient majority support for that argument. You may one day, but you have not yet.