Good news for gay and defacto couples

[Rainbow Moonlight]

http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2008 ... ion=justin

The Senate has passed a bill to allow de facto couples the same access to the Federal Family Court as married couples, in the event of a relationship breakdown.

The bill does not discriminate between same-sex and other de facto couples and creates a uniform, national system for property and financial settlements.

Attorney-General Robert McClelland says the changes are long overdue and will provide a cheaper, fairer and simpler system for de facto couples.

The bill will go back to the House of Representatives for final approval before being sent to Governor-General Quentin Bryce to be signed into law.