2.1.6 Who is a partner under VCES and MRCAETS?

Section 5E of the VEA defines a 'member of a couple' as a person legally married to another person and not living separately or apart from the other person on a permanent basis, in a registered relationship with the person, or in a de facto relationship and not living separately or apart from the person.

Section 5 of the MRCA defines a 'partner' as a person legally married to the member, in a registered relationship with the member, or a person in a de facto relationship with the member.  A person in a de facto or registered relationship can be of the same sex or of a different sex than the member.