Overview/About:
Amends the Family Law Act 1975
in relation to: opposite-sex and same-sex de facto couples accessing the federal family law courts on property and maintenance matters on relationship breakdown; financial agreements between married couples; separation declarations and superannuation splitting; and certificates provided during family dispute resolutions. Also makes consequential amendments to 10 Acts in relation to de facto financial matters; and makes a technical amendment to the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002. (Parliament of Australia, 2002)
Needs for this law:
The Family Court of Western Australia is a state court that deals with family law. It was established by the passing of the Family Court Act (WA, 1975) and commenced operation in 1976. It deals with divorce, marital property settlements, child custody, adoption and surrogacy. Although funded by the Commonwealth Government, it is the only state-based family court in Australia. (Wikipedia, 2013)
Principles:
12% of West Australian's are in De facto relationships, new laws introduced in 2002 to resolve disputes of property and parental maintenance to give them the same rights as married couples by the family court.