BIRTHS, DEATHS AND MARRIAGES REGISTRATION (REGISTRATION OF DEATHS) AMENDMENT BILL

Second Reading

Adjourned debate on second reading.

(Continued from 16 October 2008. Page 511.)

Mr VENNING (Schubert) (11:11): The recognition of de facto relationships is not only legalised: such relationships are now considered by most—not all—as acceptable in our society. A lot of us still believe in the institution of marriage, and consider that traditional marriage is the backbone of our community. But today things are a little different. I think our society has generally moved on and does accept these new types of relationships.

De facto relationships are recognised when dealing with family law, under the Family Relationships Act, and when dealing with government agencies, namely Centrelink, which takes into account de facto relationships when calculating a household's earnings, among other things.

It seems logical that, given that de facto relationships are already officially acknowledged in other legislation, this amendment should be passed. After all, it is only a minor amendment, and it gives those who choose to be in a de facto relationship (as opposed to a spousal relationship) the chance to be recognised as such on a death certificate.

Again, I commend the member for Davenport for introducing this bill. It is a matter of keeping up with the times. As I said earlier, many people would agree that de facto relationships are not the preferred relationship, and I still believe in marriage. Indeed, the people of Schubert, very much with a religious background, still promote the marriage relationship. But, we live in a modern world and cannot live in the past. I commend the member for Davenport for bringing in this bill, to make us face reality and to bring us up to date.

Debate adjourned on motion of Mrs Geraghty.