Yesterday, the City of Melbourne became the first in Victoria to establish a Relationship Register Declaration. Mixed and same-sex couples outside of a traditional marriage can now go to the town hall and, for a small fee, have their relationships recognized by the City of Melbourne.

Here’s what that means: let’s say you’ve been in a relationship with your girlfriend for 10 years, but you’re not married. In the event of her death, illness and a range of other situations, you wouldn’t have any rights or would have to go to court and prove the status of your relationship. In life or death situations, that’s not something you’d want to have to do. The declaration could be used to prove the relationship and get around some of the legal hurdles.

There’s also reported movement in the state government to set up an official state-wide registry. It’s been opposed by the premier for some time, but apparently he’s coming around.

This is obviously a big win for same-sex couples in Melbourne, but it’s a great asset to anyone in a relationship who doesn’t feel the need to get married, but wants their partner to be able to inherit their property, etc.

Since Victoria hasn’t signed off on it officially, they are technically symbolic. In case of a dispute, however, the documents provided by the City of Melbourne seem to suggest that they would have legal standing to prove a relationship and the benefits that confers. These aren’t marriages or civil unions, but they are a way to get some of the legal rights married couples enjoy.

If you and your cherished other (or last night’s mistake - though I don’t recommend it) wanna get declarated, it costs $50 and the info is available here.

Good luck, you crazy kids.

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5. Electronic Voting in Victoria?