Same-sex and de facto couples in the Australian state of Victoria will now be able to register their relationships, due to historic legislation passed this week in the state's lower house. The Government's Relationships Bill has now been introduced to the upper house and could become law as early as next month, reports GenQ.net. The Relationships Bill will allow couples to record their relationships with the Registrar of Births, Deaths and Marriage and aims to make it easier for unmarried people to access existing entitlements such as superannuation, by allowing them a simpler way to prove they are in a relationship. Under existing laws, couples may be required to provide evidence to prove their relationship, for example, in medical emergencies or to access property and life insurance entitlements. In a vote that split the opposition, Liberal party leader Ted Baillieu supported the Government bill, saying he had a strong view about bringing people together, and an optimistic view of this legislation and that this bill was about respect. "I recognise, acknowledge and respect that there are many with a counter view, many who are concerned that this bill signals an erosion of traditional marriage," he told Parliament. However, Mr Baillieu's new Coalition partner, Nationals leader Peter Ryan, opposed it - as did several Liberal frontbenchers - saying it would detract from the importance of marriage. "What this bill does is to establish a structure which is a step toward equalising the notion of a same sex relationship, in particular, with that of marriage," he said.