SA reform bill passes lower house

South Australian parliament’s lower house has voted overwhelmingly in favour of a landmark gay rights bill that is expected to pass the upper house in the final sitting days of the year next week.The lower house approved the Domestic Partners Bill last week by a vote of 28 to four.The proposed law would give same-sex couples rights in areas such as inheritance and financial affairs.A spokesperson for South Australian attorney-general Michael Atkinson said the government was confident the long-delayed reform would take effect by the end of the year.South Australia is the only state or territory to not recognise gay and lesbian couples in any legislation.