NSW Bill to amend 55 Acts now law

The New South Wales Miscellaneous Acts Amendment (Same Sex Relationships) Bill 2008 has passed the Upper House and has been assented to by the Governor in Council.

The Act, which is to amend 55 Acts to remove discrimination against same sex couples, allows for lesbian co-parents to be named on the birth certificates.

The changes, first announced by NSW Attorney-General John Hatzistergos in April,

John Hatzistergos

and approved by Human Rights Commissioner Graeme Innes as removing discrimination,

Graeme Innes

were amended in the Upper House to allow fathers to be named on those birth certificates if they wanted, and the amendments were agreed to by the Iemma Government.

The reforms have been welcomed by LGBT groups.

The changes commence on a date to be fixed.