Hon Margaret Wilson
Associate Minister of Justice
Media Statement
23 May 2000
Minister proposes changes to Matrimonial Property Bill to be referred for further consultation
Labour Minister Margaret Wilson is proposing to call for the Matrimonial Property Bill and proposed amendments to be
referred to the Justice and Electoral Select Committee.
The Minister announced the proposal after discussing the Bill and the proposed amendments with the Greens caucus this
morning.
It is proposed that the amendments, contained in a Supplementary Order Paper, will be open to public submissions for a
month.
The amendments include proposed provisions for de facto and same-sex couples. They also include proposals for a fairer
division of property in the event of couples breaking up.
If the proposal is adopted, it is expected that the Select Committee would report back to Parliament for further debate
by 1 August.
ENDS