TABLE OF CONTENTS


Preface
Participants


SECTION 1: BACKGROUND
I. Introduction

A. Terms of Reference
B. Liaison with Family Law Council
C. Why Institute an Inquiry?
D. Our Approach

A. The Constitutional Conventions
B. Standing Committee of Attorneys General
C. The Current Position

A. The Incidence of De Facto Relationships
1. The Demographic Analysis
2. The Census Analysis
B. Why the Apparent Increase?
1. The Economic Argument
2. Social Attitudes
3. The Difficulties of Obtaining Divorce
4. Conclusion
C. Types of De Facto Relationships
D. Summary and Further Information Required

A. Social Services Act 1947 (Cth)
1. Income Maintenance Schemes - Eligibility
2. The Cohabitation Rule
B. Income Tax Assessment Act 1936 (Cth)
C. Superannuation Act 1976 (Cth)
D. The Family Law Act 1975 (Cth)
1. Responsibilities to Other Persons
2. Financial Circumstances of Cohabitation
3. Other Circumstances

A. Introduction
B. Status of Children Legislation
C. New South Wales
1. Workers’ Compensation
2. Testator’s Family Maintenance
3. Criminal Injuries Compensation
4. Domestic Violence
5. Anti-Discrimination
6. Superannuation
7. Death Duties
D. Victoria
E. Queensland
F. South Australia
1. Family Relationships Act 1975 (S.A.)
2. Sex Discrimination Act 1975 (S.A.)
G. Western Australia
1. Workers’ Compensation
2. Testator’s Family Maintenance
3. Fatal Accidents Legislation
H. Tasmania
1. Maintenance and Workers’ Compensation
2. Tasmanian Law Reform Commission Proposals
I. Australian Capital Territory and Northern Territory

A. Property
1. Jurisdiction
2. The General Law
3. New South Wales Cases
4. Contractual Licences
5. Money and Personal Property
6. Cohabitation Contracts
B. Maintenance of a Spouse
1. Marital Relationships
2. De Facto Relationships
C. Domestic Violence
1. Marital Relationships
2. De Facto Relationships
D. Inter-Spousal Immunities
1. Evidence
2. Privacy

A. Custody and Guardianship
1. Marital Relationships
2. De Facto Relationships
3. Distinction Between Federal and State Law
B. Maintenance of Children
1. Marital Relationships
2. De Facto Relationships
3. Children of Marital and De Facto Relationships: A Comparison
C. Adoption

A. Workers’ Compensation
B. Testator’s Family Maintenance
C. Fatal Accidents Legislation
D. Intestacy
E. Superannuation

A. Equating Marriages and De Facto Relationships for All Purposes
B. Granting De Facto Spouses Rights on Proof of Dependence
C. Limited Equation of Marriages and (Certain) De Facto Relationships
D. Legislative Regulation of De Facto Relationships in Specific Areas

A. General Issues
B. Specific Legal Issues
1. The Relationship Between the Partners
(a) Property Claims
(b) Maintenance
(c) Domestic Violence
(d) Inter-Spousal Immunity
2. Parents and Children
(a) Custody and Guardianship
(b) Maintenance of Children
(c) Adoption of Children
3. Termination of Relationship by Death
(a) Workers’ Compensation and Fatal Accidents
(b) Testator’s Family Maintenance and Intestacy
C. Jurisdictional Issues