City of Sydney to revamp register

South Sydney’s lost Partnerships Register could get some more practical meaning, if Lord Mayor Clover Moore has her way.

Moore has written a Mayoral Minute calling for a revamp of the old Partnerships Register, which could help gay and lesbian couples prove their relationships in the courts.

A spokesperson for the Lord Mayor told Sydney Star Observer council had taken legal advice in rewriting the definition of the Register.

Under the City of Sydney scheme -“ to be renamed the City of Sydney Relationships Register -“ participants will be able to declare their relationship at any time during business hours. There will also be several Relationships Register days at the Town Hall, where partners can make their declaration in front of guests.

And those who wish to have a bigger or longer ceremony independent of council can also do so.

In the South Sydney scheme, couples could sign the register one day each month.

Under the Lord Mayor’s proposal, the wording of the Relationships Register will come directly from law, which, Moore’s spokesperson hoped, would help couples who needed to prove their de facto status.

People will be able to declare that they are committed to sharing their lives together, the spokesperson said.
That wording comes from the Property Relationships Act. There is a list of things that a court will take into account when determining if a relationship is de facto.

Sydney Star Observer reported in July South Sydney’s Partnership Register -“ which had been considered a landmark for gay and lesbian rights -“ had disappeared following the amalgamation between South Sydney Council and the City of Sydney.

South Sydney’s 30-day waiting period will remain, the spokesperson said.

If the council approves Moore’s Mayoral Minute on Monday night, the proposed City of Sydney Partnerships Register will go on public exhibition next week.

The public will be able to make submissions during the exhibition period.