SA to set up a relationships register

Following action by the Weatherill government, South Australia has reviewed its laws concerning LGBTI people, resulting in the passing of a bill to set up a relationships register in South Australia. The relationships register, to commence at a date to be proclaimed, will bring SA into line with Qld, NSW, ACT, Victoria and Tasmania, which also have relationship registers.

Having a registered relationship can have a major impact on legal issues for a couple. If they split up, for example, then this means it is beyond doubt that at some stage they were in a de facto relationship- potentially saving many tens of thousands of dollars arguing in the Family Law Courts about whether they were or were not in a de facto relationship. Passing this law is a good move.