There are important non-property rights also conferred such as in relation to human tissue and medical treatment decisions, coronial inquest participation rights, decisions about bail for arrested persons, guardianship and mental health decisions, rights in retirement villages, and accident compensation. The government's rationale was that bringing those provisions into line with the new 'universal' definition of de facto relationship would force people such as homosexual and lesbian board directors to out their partners and themselves. The government's position is that outstanding issues are to be considered by the NSW Legislative Council's Standing Committee on Social Issues, a committee chaired by a gay-friendly councillor and which already has a reference to report on questions of relationships law reform. The bill was originally drafted by the Government but was not introduced by them despite ongoing representations from the community. In November 1998 it had been referred to a Parliamentary Committee, where it met strong opposition from the Christian Right.
Few schemes recognise same-sex partners.
Many employers provide benefits such as payment of relocation expenses but in most companies, these apply only to heterosexual partners. Both Federal and State compensation law's allow for compensation to dependents if someone dies as a result of a work-related injury. Both use definitions of husband, wife, family etc which exclude same-sex Partners. These acts do not recognise same-sex relationships. In NSW there have been cases of lesbians being allowed to adopt but one partner has had to apply as an individual.