Legislative Council - Fifty-First Parliament, Third Session (51-3)
2009-02-19 Daily Xml

Contents

ADMINISTRATION AND PROBATE (DISTRIBUTION ON INTESTACY) AMENDMENT BILL

Second Reading

Adjourned debate on second reading.

(Continued from 18 February 2009. Page 1343.)

The Hon. P. HOLLOWAY (Minister for Mineral Resources Development, Minister for Urban Development and Planning, Minister for Small Business) (16:10): I thank members for their cooperation in relation to this bill, and I particularly thank the Hon. Mr Lawson for his comments on it and indication of support. This bill would increase the statutory legacy to a spouse or domestic partner on intestacy.

The Hon. Mr Lawson asked how many grants of administration have been made annually in South Australia in recent years. I am advised that in 2006 there were 221 such grants in cases of intestacy as well as a further 68 grants of administration with a will annexed. In 2007 there were 195 grants in cases of intestacy as well as 76 grants with a will annexed. In 2008 there were 203 grants as well as a further 86 grants with a will annexed.

Grants of probate substantially outnumbered grants of administration over the same period, with 4,357 in 2006, 4,672 in 2007 and 4,554 in 2008. Nonetheless, there are roughly 200 South Australians per year whose spouses or domestic partners could potentially benefit from this amendment. Again, I thank the honourable member for his expression of support for the bill.

Bill read a second time.