Evading the big questions

I received a reply to my letter to Kerry Bartlett today.

Tuesday, 20 February, 2007

Dear Dan,

Thankyou for your letters of 10 February 2007 and 23 November 2006. In answer to your question as to what the government is doing to address measures regarding taxation, superannuation and pensions, I would direct you to the website of the Same-Sex:Same Entitlements Inquriy. In particularly the Background Briefing page, a copy of which I have enclosed.

You are correct that the second HREOC discussion paper was released some months ago. The purpose of a discussion paper is that it be in the public domain for some time so that all interested parties can comment on it. The Federal Government will consider finders of the Inquiry when HREOC presents their final report, and decide from there what legislative action to take. It would be presumptive of the Government to act before receiving this report.

Thank you again for your letter and for advising me of your views.

Yours sincerely,

Kerry Bartlett
Federal Member for Macquarie
Chief Government Whip

On the one hand, its vagueness exceeded my expectations; on the other, I'm not surprised. When he said, in his first reply to me, that "the Government is looking to address measures regarding taxation, superannuation and pensions" I was under the impression that he was asserting that they were actuing doing something, not waiting around for the HREOC Inquiry's report (remember that this is the inquiry which Howard forbade government departments to contribute to). So it seems they are in fact, as Bartlett said, looking to address, and not actually doing any addressing at this time.

I wonder why he has chosen not to rebut my rebuttals? It could, of course, be that he is a busy man and doesn't have time to collect evidence against me. It could be that no such evidence exists. It could be a combination of the two.

I was hoping to hear his answers to my points. But then I am young and idealistic.