The Rev Dr Andrew Cameron of Sydney's Social Issues Executive has said two bills before the Senate could be the beginning of major change for the status of marriage in Australia.

The controversial bills propose to bring same-sex, de facto and married relationships under the common title of "couple relationship', particularly in property settlement matters. 

"For a long time now, Anglican leaders in Sydney have held the view that same-sex couples and their children shouldn't be denied equity in basic financial and legal entitlements," Dr Cameron said.

"We're not sure how this fits with the government's commitment to maintain marriage as a distinct category of relationship. Past experience has shown that small incremental changes like these eventually add up to become major social change."