Victorian Consolidated Legislation

Status of Children Act 1974 - SECT 3

All children to be of equal status

3. All children to be of equal status



(1) For all the purposes of the law of Victoria the relationship between every
person and his father and mother shall be determined irrespective of whether
the father and mother are or have been married to each other and all other
relationships shall be determined accordingly.

(2) The rule of construction whereby in any instrument, in the absence of
expression of any intention to the contrary, words of relationship signify
only legitimate relationship is abolished.

(3) For the purpose of construing any instrument the use, with reference to
relationship of a person, of the words "legitimate" or "lawful" shall not of
itself prevent the relationship from being determined in accordance with the
provisions of subsection (1).

(4) This section shall apply in respect of every person, whether born before
or after the commencement of this Act, whether born in Victoria or not, and
whether or not his father or mother has ever been domiciled in Victoria.