Australia’s marriage equality advocates are appalled the Canadian Government has decided the hundreds of Australian same-sex couples who married in Canada after same-sex marriage was legalised in that country in 2003 are not legally wed.

In a document filed in a Toronto court, the Government of conservative Prime Minister, Stephen Harper, has seemingly reversed Canada’s policy of allowing foreign same-sex couples to marry under its laws by declaring that a Canadian same-sex marriage between foreigners is only valid if same-sex marriage is allowed in the partners’ home country.

Australia does not allow same-sex couples to marry.

Australian Marriage Equality spokesperson, Rodney Croome, said the Canadian decision shows why same-sex couples should be allowed to marry in Australia and not forced overseas to wed.

“This decision has the potential to throw the lives of the hundreds of Australian couples who have married in Canada into turmoil”, Mr Croome said.

“The Canadian Government decision not only disregards the solemn legal vows Australian couples have taken in Canada, but also casts doubt on these couples’ status in the eyes of their families and friends and those Australian employers, federal departments and state governments that recognise overseas same-sex marriages.”

“This wouldn’t be a problem if the Australian parliament abided by the will of the Australian people and allowed same-sex couples to marry here instead of forcing them to go overseas to marry.”

Peter Furness, who married his partner Theo Phillip in Vancouver in 2006, said he now feels in a precarious position.

“Our marriage was legal when it occurred and for that to be cast into doubt is shocking. It is absurd that our marriage should be in doubt just because we happen to live in a country that is dragging its feet on the issue.”

It is estimated that over 5000 of the 15,000 same-sex marriages that have been performed in Canada since 2003 involve non-Canadian couples, mostly from the US, with a smaller proportion from Britain and Australia.

A growing number of Australian companies and government departments recognise same-sex marriages entered into overseas, including the Bureau of Statistics which counted such marriages in the 2011 Census.

Overseas same-sex marriages are also recognised by the Tasmanian and Queensland state governments as state civil unions, automatically providing same-sex couples in overseas marriages with almost all the same rights as married couples in state and federal law.

At its National Conference in December the Australian Labor Party changed its policy to support marriage equality and allowed its federal MPs a conscience vote on the issue.

If marriage equality legislation is to be successful the Coalition must also allow a conscience vote which it has so far ruled out.

For a full report on the Canadian decision go to:
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/politics/ottawa-does-about-face-on-same-sex-marriage-for-non-canadians/article2299574/

For more information contact Rodney Croome on 0409 010 668 or Peter Furness on 0425 848 723.