Jon:
Leslie in Kew; morning to you Leslie.
Leslie:
G’day Jon. I just wanted to ask David about the rights between de facto couples and married couples. I seem to remember David made some comment that there was more rights if you were married, than if you were in a de facto relationship. Is that right?
DW:
Yep.
Leslie:
Can you tell me them?
DW:
Your rights as a married couple arise the day after you get married.
Leslie:
Yep.
Jon:
What not the day of the marriage?
DW:
The moment you’re married you have rights under the Family Law Act.
Leslie:
Right.
DW:
De factos don’t acquire those rights for a period of up to two years.
Leslie:
Okay and what about 20 years?
DW:
Then they’re the same. At that point they’re the same.
Leslie:
Oh great. So it’s just that you have to wait two years before you have the same rights, is that what you mean?
DW:
I’d hate to think you were waiting to get the same rights, Leslie. I mean you know it just so happens that two years on you have the same rights; but it seems to me the relationship is flawed if you’re waiting for them.
Leslie:
Oh no, no. It’s was just I remembered hearing you making that comment and I wasn’t sure, I mean you know I’m happily in a…
DW:
In a long term stable relationship? No: the answer is your rights are the same. Alright?
Leslie:
Beautiful; thank you so much, David.
DW:
Thank you, Leslie.
Jon:
Alright, good on you.