MAN TOLD HE WAS NOT HIS LATE PARTNER'S NEXT OF KIN TO GET HIS DAY IN COURT
A Tasmanian man who authorities failed to recognise as his late male partner's next of kin despite their five year relationship will have his day in court.
The Tasmanian Anti-Discrimination Commissioner has found Ben Jago of Hobart has an arguable case of discrimination against the Tasmanian Police and the Coroner's Office.
The case will now proceed to the state's Anti-Discrimination Tribunal.
Mr Jago said,
"I am pleased with the decision the Anti-Discrimination Commissioner has made."
"This helps restore my faith in humanity and at least I feel like I'm being listened to."
"I look forward to my day in court and hope justice will be done."
In January 2015 Mr Jago's partner, Nathan Lunson, died at their home in Old Beach, Hobart.
The Police and Coroner's Office failed to recognise Mr Jago as senior next of kin, giving that status to Mr Lunson's estranged mother instead.
Mr Jago was refused permission to see Mr Lunson's body in the Royal Hobart Hospital and initially refused permission to attend the funeral in Ulverstone until negotiations between the Jago and Lunson families allowed him to sit down the back with Mr Lunson's friends and not speak.
Mr Jago says it was Mr Lunson's wish to be cremated in Hobart, not buried in Ulverstone.
The Coroner's OffIce has since admitted that it made a mistake, acknowledging that same-sex partners have had equal rights in Tasmanian law, including as next of kin, since 2003.
For an article by Mr Jago about his experiences, click
here
For more information contact Ben Jago on 0457 037 523 or Ben Jago's lawyer, Ben Bartl, on 0417 032 832.
