Statutes Amendment (Domestic Partners) Bill

This speech indicates that the Hon. J.M.A. LENSINK will not be supporting the Statutes Amendment (Domestic Partners) Bill.

The Hon. J.M.A. LENSINK: I have some sympathy for the amendments because I believe that the longer the relationship exists the more value should be placed on respecting its integrity. However, I think that the original intent of the putative spouse amendments in the Family Relationships Act passed in 1975 were designed to protect the vulnerable party. In the interests of those vulnerable parties, those in a position of lesser power or lesser income-earning capacity and so forth, I will not be supporting the amendments.