Following a meeting today with Federal Attorney-General, Robert McClelland, equality advocates say they are hopeful of moves towards tackling legal and financial discrimination against same-sex de facto partners by mid year, but urged supporters of reform to continue to speak out.

Representatives of the Tasmanian Gay and Lesbian Rights Group, Commonwealth Superannuation Action Committee and the Australian Coalition for Equality met with Robert McClelland in Canberra this morning.

TGLRG and ACE representative, Rodney Croome, said that the Government has moved further than he expected.

"Mr McClelland indicated that an audit of all discriminatory laws, plus an assessment of the financial implications of reforming these laws, are well advanced, giving us hope reform may only be a matter of months away", Mr Croome said.

John Challis from COMSAC told McClelland reform is urgent because discrimination in areas like superannuation and aged care affects older and/or retired same-sex partners.

"The meeting surpassed my expectations", Mr Challis said. "I was impressed by the amount of work already done by the Department, and the Minister's commitment to reform."

According to Mr McClelland the Government has uncovered over 40 discriminatory laws on top of the 58 already identified by the Human Rights Commission, bringing the total to about 100.

He stressed that time is needed to assess the financial and legal implications of reform in such a wide range of areas.

Despite his cautious optimism, Mr Croome said there is still no guaranteed timetable for reform and urged equality supporters to call and write to Government MPs pointing out that tackling same-sex partner discrimination in federal law is overdue and urgent.

Other issues addressed in today's meeting included state-based relationship registries and the establishment of an LGBTI advisory committee for the Attorney-General.

Tasmanian Gay and Lesbian Rights Group legal advisor, Wayne Morgan, outlined the importance of partners in State Deeds of Relationship having full and equal access to federal legal entitlements.

"Federal entitlements should be available equally to partners in both de facto and registered relationships", Mr Morgan said.

"Partners in a Deed of Relationship have made the choice to enter into a formalised union, and should not be treated in law as if they are a type of de facto partner", Mr Morgan said.

Meanwhile, Mr McClelland asked for further information about how existing LGBT / government liaison committees operate at a state level in Tasmania and Victoria.

"An advisory committee would be invaluable, not only to oversee the implementation of same-sex partner reform, but to ensure issues like national discrimination laws, transgender recognition and international human rights advocacy are on the table", Mr Croome said.

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