I propose to take Questions Nos. 392 to 394, inclusive, together.
Married people owe each other many judicially enforceable duties such as a duty on maintenance, a special duty in respect of any home used by them and many other duties. Married status also involves other legal issues such as judicial competence over capital assets, divorce, competence as a witness, subjection to family law and other legal consequences. It is my view that many same sex couples, in common with many opposite sex couples, would not choose to commit to the array of rights and duties consequent on marriage if this option was available to them.
With a view to identifying the options available to the legislature in according legal recognition to same sex couples, and other forms of partnerships, I recently established a Working Group on Domestic Partnership. The Group is charged with preparing an Options Paper to be presented to me by 20 October 2006.