Archbishop Dr Peter Jensen has congratulated the government for a clear statement on the issue of ‘gay marriage’ but also for the removal of injustices relating to benefits for some relationships.

The Federal Government has announced 100 changes to Commonwealth laws which are designed to allow some homosexual partners access to benefits such as welfare and superannuation payouts.

Dr Jensen told the ABC “Marriage is between a man and a women and I think that’s an excellent that the Government has made clear.”

He says “In regard to the other changes, personally I remain concerned about the impact of the gay lifestyle on our community and I don’t believe any of us should be forced to accept it. But on the other hand I think that there may be injustices that need attention.”

Dr Jensen says all the details of the changes are not yet clear, but adds that they should extend beyond gay relationships.

“I hope this is not just pro-gay, but pro-people” he says.

The Archbishop says there are other sorts of relationships, which are non-sexual, to which the new arrangement could apply.

“There could be two friends living together, on a long-standing basis over many years. It’s not a sexual relationship, but it is a relationship. And they support and strengthen each other, there’d be many Christian people living like that and I think that sort of thing could also be recognised.”

Any changes would be brought in by mid-2009 but already gay activists say the moves are not enough and they still want ‘gay marriage’ to be legalised.

Archbishop Jensen remains opposed to such a move.

“Marriage is not a matter of government fiat. We can’t simply say, because some people want it, that marriage is different now. Marriage is between a man and a women and I’m pleased the Government seems determined to recognise that basic fact.”

Earlier, the Federal Attorney-General Robert McLelland told reporters there would be no changes to the Marriage Act.

“We made it clear before the election that the Government regards marriage as being between a man and a woman, and we don’t support any measures that seek to mimic that process.”

In a interview on the ABC’s World Today, Dr Jensen was also asked about the church’s attitude to children being brought up by same-sex couples.

He restated the church’s long-standing position that “..the way in which God has set up the world, he’s set us up to be brought up by a man and a woman. We learn from the partner of the opposite sex certain extraordinarily important things that can’t be learnt simply by being raised by two people of the same sex.”

You can hear the full interview (in MP3 form) here