Definitions Flashcards
Marriage
the Marriage Amendment (Definition and Religious Freedoms) Act 2017 (cth) defines marriage as:
“the union of two people to the exclusion of all others, voluntarily entered into for life”
De Facto Relationship
a relationship where the partners at as a married couple but are not legally married
Blended Family
a family that is created when a parent remarries; it includes a stepmother or stepfather and stepchildren
Extended Family
a family that includes individuals related through marriage or parentage and not limited to one couple and their children; in some cultures, close family and friends are regarded as members of the extended family
Referral of Powers
the giving up of a state’s legislative powers in a certain area to the Commonwealth by passing an Act, pursuant to section 51 of the Australian Constitution
Polygamous
having more than one wife or husband at the same time
Descendant
a person who by genetics or adoption follows the family line of another, such as a child, grandparent or great-grandparent
Ancestor
a person from whom someone is descended, on either parent’s side, such as a parent, grandparent or great-grandparent
Celebrant
a person who is authorised to perform a civil or religious marriage ceremony
Nuligy
to declare legally void or invalid
Annulment
a declaration by a court that a supposed marriage is void
Ex-Nuptial
a Latin term meaning ‘outside marriage’; an ex-nuptial child is a child born to parents who are not married
Assault
a criminal offence involving the affliction of physical force or the threat of physical force
Adoption
the legal process of transferring parental rights and responsibilities from the biological parents to the adoptive parents
Relinquishing Parent
a parent who nominates their child for adoption
