AUSTRALIA will just have to "wait and see" whether Julia Gillard stays in a de facto relationship or marries her partner, Tim Mathieson
But Ms Gillard's status as Australia's first unmarried Prime Minister is of no concern to pro-family lobby groups, who are more worried her "left-wing radical" history may prejudice her against implementing family-oriented policies.
Mr Mathieson was the first person Ms Gillard turned to yesterday after being sworn in as Prime Minister by Governor-General Quentin Bryce.
He gave her a reassuring hug and a quick congratulatory kiss, having rushed to Canberra on an early-morning flight to be there at the ceremony in Government House.
Mr Mathieson, who has been in a relationship with Ms Gillard since 2006 after meeting her two years earlier at the Melbourne hairdressing salon where he worked, told The Herald Sun Online yesterday Ms Gillard would "absolutely be a fantastic Prime Minister".
"She has the right mindset and she is very consultative. I am so proud to be her partner and to be able to support her today," he said.
But what about wedding bells? And should it matter?
Not to Mr Mathieson and not to family groups, it seems.
"We haven't talked about anything more than being spouses at this stage," he said. "Wait and see, I guess".
Australian Family Association spokesman Tim Cannon said he had no comment on whether Ms Gillard's marital status would affect her ability to do the job.
But her background in student politics and her factional ties with the Left of the Labor Party did raise concerns.
"The Left aren't the natural champions of the traditional family unit, and her radical left-wing background is a concern to us," Mr Cannon said.
