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Where am I now? Lawlink > Law Reform Commission > Publications > Preface
Issues Paper 1 (1981) - De Facto Relationships
Preface
The Commission has a reference from the Attorney General and Minister for Justice, the Honourable F.J. Walker, Q.C., M.P., to inquire into and review the law relating to family and domestic relationships, with particular reference to de facto relationships. The terms of reference are set out in paragraph 1.1 of this Paper.
The Paper is designed to provide background information for the guidance of persons and organisations wishing to make submissions to us, or wishing to comment on the reference. The Paper attempts to describe the law governing de facto spouses and their children, and to provide information on the social context in which the law operates. Section 5 identifies policy questions which, in our view, arise to be considered in the course of the reference. We do not intend to restrict the range of submissions that may be made, and commentators may wish to raise further issues for discussion or deal with matters not covered in the Paper. The Commission has formed no final view on any of the issues raised in the Paper.
Members of the Commission who have been concerned in the formulation of this Paper are:
Chairman: Professor Ronald Sackville
Commissioner: Mr D. Gressier
Part-time Commissioner: Mrs Bettina Cass.
We acknowledge the special assistance of the Honourable Mr Justice P.E. Nygh of the Family Court of Australia in the preparation of this Paper. We also acknowledge the valuable contribution made by Dr Owen Jessep, Senior Lecturer, Faculty of Law, University of New South Wales, in the preparation of this Paper. Dr Jessep prepared a Background Paper which has been of great assistance to the Commission.
The Commission has also had the benefit of consultation with the Family Law Council of Australia. The nature and extent of this consultation is detailed in paragraph 1.2.
A number of people have acted as honorary consultants in connection with this reference. We acknowledge their valuable contributions. The contents of this Paper remain, however, solely the responsibility of the Commission.
Consultants:
Ms Rebecca Bailey (Senior Lecturer, Law School, University of Adelaide)
Mr Cam Dezamaulds (Solicitor)
Ms Ann Gorrnan (Director, Planning, Research and Evaluation Directorate, Department of Youth and Community Services)
Dr Owen Jessep (Senior Lecturer, Faculty of Law, University of New South Wales)
Ms Helen Larcombe (Special Magistrate)
Ms Elizabeth Lennon (Department of Youth and Community Services)
Ms Kaye Loder (Solicitor)
Mr Peter Rose (Barrister)
Mr Paul Stein, Q.C. (President, Anti-Discrimination Board)
Mr John Wade (Senior Lecturer, Faculty of Law, Sydney University)
Mr Peter Young, Q.C. (Barrister).
Members of the research staff who participated in the preparation of this Paper are: Helen Mills, Philippa McDonald, Paul Garde.
The Commission invites submissions on the issues raised in this Paper or on any aspect of the reference. All inquiries and comments should be directed to the Secretary. Submissions should reach us by 31 March 1982.
A summary of this Paper is available from the Secretary of the Commission. Requests for copies and correspondence concerning the reference should be addressed to
Mr Bruce Buchanan,
Secretary,
New South Wales Law Reform Commission,
Box 6, G.P.O.,
SYDNEY, N.S.W. 2001.
Telephone: 238 7213
[Current contact details for the Law Reform Commission]
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