Santo Santoro (Queensland, Liberal Party, Minister for Ageing) Share this | Hansard source

I sought to be as helpful as I could to Senator Nettle when I advised her of the advice to me. There are many other kinds of couples who are referred to as couples—as I said, mothers and daughters, cousins, close friends and so on. But I also informed Senator Nettle and the Senate that, in terms of including the definition that she is seeking to have included by this amendment, the government prefers to deal with the issue in a holistic way.

I have just received some further advice. I tender it with a view to being specifically of assistance to the Senate. It is that this clause is not being interpreted to include a same-sex couple.