Marriage continues to be under pressure.

14 August 2009

Along with the homosexual groups lobbying for same-sex 'marriage', the Greens have put a bill to allow same-sex 'marriage' into the Senate.

Submissions are now due by August 28.  

In your submission (or letter) to the Senate Committee, please say that you support marriage continuing to be for heterosexual couples ONLY and that you oppose same-sex 'marriage'.

That is, we want the current Marriage Act, which states that marriage is between a man and a woman, to remain the same.

ALSO mention your opposition to any other form of legal recognition for same-sex and multiple partner relationships. 

You can make your submission ONLINE - click here.
Alternatively send it by email to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

DETAILS

Greens Senator Sarah Hanson-Young put up a bill to amend the Australian Marriage Act to legalise same-sex 'marriage' in late June.

The Bill is called the Marriage Equality Amendment Bill 2009.

The Senate sent the Bill to the Senate Standing Committee on Legal and Constitutional Affairs for an Inquiry.

The Committee website says "This is a private senator's bill that seeks to remove all discrimination from the Marriage Act 1961 on the basis of sexuality and gender identity and to permit marriage regardless of sex, sexuality and gender identity."

If the Bill is passed, it would allow same-sex 'marriages' in Australia.

As well, the Bill "will also reverse amendments made to the Marriage Act in 2004, which not only continue to discriminate on the basis of sexuality and gender identity, but also explicitly prohibit the recognition of same-sex marriages entered into under the laws of another country."

Click here for full details of the Inquiry on the Committee's website. 

Documents:

The actual Marriage Equality Amendment Bill 2009 is posted online - click here to read the Bill (pdf).

The Explanatory Memorandum is also posted online. 
Information about the progress of the Bill, second reading speeches etc - click here.

The date for submissions is 28 August 2009.

The reporting date set for the Committee to report back to the Senate is 26 November 2009.

ACTION:

Please send a submission to the Inquiry being held by the Senate Standing Committee on Legal and Constitutional Affairs.

In your submission you should note that marriage must continue to remain only between a man and a woman - and that same-sex 'marriages' performed overseas should not be recognised in Australia.

You can make your submission ONLINE - click here.
Alternatively send it by email to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

OR Post to:
Committee Secretary
Senate Standing Committee on Legal and Constitutional Affairs
PO Box 6100
Parliament House
Canberra ACT 2600
Australia

Phone number for the Committee: +61 2 6277 3560.