Marriage equality advocates say they oppose a proposal by Senator David Leyonheljm to allow civil marriage celebrants to turn away same-sex and other couples, and will lobby against it.
Australian Marriage Equality national director, Rodney Croome, said,
“Civil celebrants are registered by the government to carry out a government service, much like Justices of the Peace, and like all public officials they should be prevented by law from favouring some people over others.”
“Senator Leyonhelm’s amendment would allow civil celebrants to turn away mixed race and divorced partners, as well as same-sex couples, which is something the majority of Australians would find unacceptable.”
“While we applaud Senator Leyonhelm for bringing forward a Bill we will lobby against the civil celebrant exemption and want parliament to remove it.”
There is already an exemption for religious celebrants in the Marriage Act which means they will be able to refuse to marry same-sex couples.
Mr Croome, who supports the exemption for religious celebrants, said there is a critical difference between religious and civil celebrants.
“Religious celebrants existed long before the Marriage Act whereas civil celebrants are entirely a creation of the federal government and should be governed by its rules.”
Senator Leyonhelm has said he will introduce his Bill allowing same-sex couples to marry some time in the Spring session of parliament.
Mr Croome has urged Senator Leyonheljm not to bring his Bill to a vote before there is a Coalition conscience vote on the issue.
For a news report on the civil celebrants exemption click here.
For more information contact Rodney Croome on 0409 010 668 or Ivan Hinton on 0419 124 826.
Author: Rodney Croome
Publication: Media Release
Date: 12th September 2014