Marriage laws pave way for couples to be recognised as next-of-kin

By Tara Hayes
Updated December 17 2017 - 1:03am, first published 12:49am
Liberal Member for North Sydney Trent Zimmerman and Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull celebrate the passing of the Marriage Amendment Bill in the House of Representatives at Parliament House in Canberra, Thursday, December 7, 2017. (AAP Image/Mick Tsikas) NO ARCHIVING
Liberal Member for North Sydney Trent Zimmerman and Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull celebrate the passing of the Marriage Amendment Bill in the House of Representatives at Parliament House in Canberra, Thursday, December 7, 2017. (AAP Image/Mick Tsikas) NO ARCHIVING

It was around 3am at Liverpool Hospital in Sydney's south-west when Rebecca* felt "a burst of energy" and saw her partner give birth to her daughter.