Senator WONG (Minister for Climate Change and Water) (5:35 PM) —I think I did go to these issues in the summing up on the second reading and made reference to a couple of issues. I think there was a discussion about a transitional commencement date other than 1 July, and I think I may have indicated the reasons for that. My recollection also is that I discussed what Commonwealth agencies have been asked to do in terms of communicating these changes to the gay and lesbian community.

I also would make the point that the changes to social security and family assistance entitlements—which are, I suppose, the ones that do spring to mind when you consider the changes that may create a financial disbenefit from what currently exists for some couples—will not commence until 1 July 2009. So we obviously have a period of time for same-sex couples to be advised and to plan their affairs accordingly. Again, I would make the point that reforms which benefit same-sex couples commence earlier than those—social security changes, for example. The majority of amendments, including amendments to the Australian government superannuation schemes, would commence after passage, and amendments to the Medicare and PBS safety nets would commence on 1 January 2009.

Question agreed to.

Senator WONG (Minister for Climate Change and Water) (5:38 PM) —The government opposes schedule 4, schedule 7 and schedule 9 and schedule 15 in the following terms:

The TEMPORARY CHAIRMAN (Senator Ellison)—The question is that schedules 4, 7, 9 and 15 stand as printed.

Question negatived.