(Canberra) The Australian government introduced legislation in Parliament Thursday to grant a number of rights to same-sex couples, but continues to insist it has no intention of repealing a law limiting marriage to opposite-sex pairs.

The Same-Sex Entitlements Bill will remove discrimination against same-sex partners in areas such as immigration, taxation, veterans’ pensions and elder care. Legislation aimed at removing discrimination in government pensions was introduced earlier this year.

“It will not only remove discrimination against same-sex couples, [it will] also remove discrimination against their families and most specifically their children,” said Attorney-General Robert McClelland in introducing the bill.

But McClelland later told reporters the Labor government of Prime Minister Kevin Rudd will not introduce a bill that would repeal Australia’s ban on same-sex marriage.

The ban was passed in 2004 by the former Liberal government, and was used  by then-Prime Minister John Howard to overturn a civil unions bill passed by the Australian Capital Territory.

Howard’s action resulted in the federal Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission launching a national investigation into inequities faced by same-sex couples. The commission held hearings across the country.

Commissioners heard from dozens of gay couples in hearings across the country of how partners have been cut out of wills because they have not legal status, how children in same-sex relationships are harmed, and how federal pension law hurts one partner when the other dies.

In its report to the government last year, the Commission made more than 50 recommendations and urged the passing laws guaranteeing rights for same-sex couples.

Many of those recommendations are contained in the bills filed by McClelland.

LGBT advocates, although disappointed the government will not repeal the ban on same-sex marriage, expressed satisfaction with McClelland’s bills.

Australian Coalition for Equality spokesperson Rodney Croome said that the Government’s reforms will ease the financial burden on same-sex partners, particularly those who are elderly and retired.

“This is a long over due reform which will help make Australia and fairer society,” Croome said in a statement to 365gay.

McClelland said the government expects the legislation to be passed by mid-2009.

After Rudd’s government was elected, the Australian Capital Territory re-introduced its civil unions bill.  After amending it to prevent public ceremonies to be held in government facilities, it passed, making the ACT the first area in the country to allow civil partnerships.

A third of Australia’s eight states and territories have varying laws providing some benefits to same-sex couples.

Among Australia’s population of 21 million people, more than 40,000 are in same-sex relationships, a government report found last year.