Which act introduced a new definition of 'de facto relationship' in NSW law?

• A. Property (Relationships) Legislation Amendment Act 1999 (NSW)
• B. Crimes (Domestic Violence Act) 2007 (NSW)
• C. Matrimonial Causes Act 1959 (Cth)
• D. Family Law Amendment (Shared Parental Responsibility) Act 2006 (Cth)

Answer: (A)

The key idea here is how de facto relationships are defined for property matters in New South Wales. The NSW Property (Relationships) Legislation Amendment Act 1999 introduced a formal statutory definition of a de facto relationship for the purposes of the Property (Relationships) Act. This change established a clear test to recognise couples who are not married or related but live together in a genuine domestic relationship, including extending recognition to same‑sex couples and setting criteria around cohabitation and duration (and other circumstances such as the presence of children) that determine when a relationship is treated as de facto for property settlements. The other options deal with different areas of law (domestic violence protection, divorce, parenting) and do not set the NSW de facto definition.