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ARTICLE · 24 AUGUST 2019

Is adultery against the law in Australia?

Unlike some States in the USA, where adultery is a criminal offence, cheating on your spouse is not illegal in Australia.

AustraliaCriminal Law

At his father's funeral in 2007, Donald Puryear bumped into an old flame – a woman he'd actually once promised to marry. And, in the midst of his grief, there's no doubt that Donald was probably pretty surprised to see Betty Devin, because they had long since parted ways and Donald was now married to Carol. In fact, not long before his father's death, Donald and Carol had celebrated their 10th Wedding Anniversary.

But at some point during the day's proceedings to honour his dead father, Betty slipped Donald her phone number. The rest, as they say, is history. Betty and Donald began an affair, and Donald separated from Carol several months later. Donald and Carol divorced in 2009.

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