Bills

Statutes Amendment (Registered Relationships) Bill

Second Reading

Adjourned debate on second reading.

(Continued from 28 March 2017.)

The Hon. R.I. LUCAS (16:43): I rise to speak briefly on this bill to indicate that I accept that this is, in essence, a consequential piece of legislation to an earlier substantive debate that we have had when all members, including myself, put our strongly held positions at that particular occasion. I did flag at that particular time that I suspected there would be unintended consequences and oversights as a result of the legislation that was being considered. This is the first, in my view, of what will be a series of changes which will probably be required over the coming years but, nevertheless, as I said, I accept that this is consequential on the substantive decisions this chamber and another chamber have taken on a previous occasion. I therefore do not intend to repeat my arguments that I outlined at that particular time.

The Hon. I.K. HUNTER (Minister for Sustainability, Environment and Conservation, Minister for Water and the River Murray, Minister for Climate Change) (16:44): I think all those people who wished to speak on this debate have done so, so I rise to conclude the debate at the second reading stage. I would like to thank honourable members for their contributions to date.

The Statutes Amendment (Registered Relationships) Bill 2017 is consequential, as the Hon. Mr Lucas noted, to the Relationships Register Bill No. 1 2016 passed by this parliament last year, which, when brought into operation, will establish a relationships register allowing unmarried couples, both heterosexual and non-heterosexual, to register their relationships. The passage of this bill will ensure that the benefits that are currently afforded to married persons will also be afforded to persons in registered relationships.

In response to a question raised by members during debate on the bill, the Relationships Register Act 2016—I think it was asked by the Hon. Tammy Franks, from memory—when commenced, will also provide for the automatic recognition of relationships registered in other jurisdictions, including overseas same-sex marriages. I am advised that work is currently being undertaken to amend the Births, Deaths and Marriages Registration Regulations 2011 to allow for the automatic recognition of registered relationships on death certificates. It is probably worthwhile for all of us with an interest in this to watch that process and see that the intent of parliament is put into practice. This will ensure that the awful situation that arose for Mr Marco Bulmer-Rizzi, with the passing of his husband in Adelaide, will not happen again in the future, we hope.

Although equality will not be obtained finally without the commonwealth legislating for same-sex marriage, this bill, together with the Relationships Register Act 2016, goes some way at least to recognising, protecting and honouring the love that people have for each other, regardless of the sex or gender make-up of the couple, by automatically recognising overseas same-sex marriages as registered relationships and affording the same legislative benefits to persons in registered relationships as are currently afforded to married persons. I would like to again thank honourable members for their contributions, and I commend the bill to a speedy passage through the council.

Bill read a second time.

Committee Stage

Bill taken through committee without amendment.

Third Reading

The Hon. I.K. HUNTER (Minister for Sustainability, Environment and Conservation, Minister for Water and the River Murray, Minister for Climate Change) (16:48): I move:

That this bill be now read a third time.

Bill read a third time and passed.

At 16:49 the council adjourned until Tuesday 11 April 2017 at 14:15.