The superannuation legislation was recently voted down 35-31, three years after being introduced into parliament. 

The bill's defeat has drawn criticism from bankers and financial planners, as well as the government. But Democrats superannuation spokeswoman LYN ALLISON says the government is to blame. She says it is regrettable that after two years of talks the Government could not go one small step further and fix the discrimination in superannuation and tax law.

 Democrats law and justice spokesman BRIAN GREIG says the government decided to abandon its legislation rather than accept an amendment to end discrimination against same sex couples.