PDC: Marriage Act working group

This Working Group (WG) was established by the Policy Development Committee (PDC) on 23 January 2013.

Working group report
This working group has been tasked with developing policy to remove discrimination caused by the Marriage Act. The working group was chaired by Melanie Thomas and will produce a report for discussion at the March 6 PDC meeting.

Recommendation
As per the MAUT decision table for the Civil Union Act policy WG, the working group recommends the replacement of the Marriage Act 1961 with a new Civil Unions Act.

Preamble
The current Marriage Act 1961 denies LGBT people the opportunity to marry one another, effectively denying human rights which are taken for granted within mainstream, heterosexual society[1]. The Marriage Amendment Act 2004 pushed this discrimination further by imposing a declaration, compulsorily recited at all weddings, stating that marriage in Australia can only occur between a man and a woman.[2]

This message feeds existing stigmas related to homosexuality. The law also imposes religious principles into state ceremonies, undermining the separation of Church and State—a principle which lacks explicit protection within the Australian Constitution.[3]

Discrimination against same-sex couples causes undue pain and anguish, resulting in feelings of alienation, anxiety, depression, and ultimately, suicide. LGBT people are 2.47 times more likely to suffer from alcohol and other drug addictions.[4] The repercussions of these issues place a large burden on our health system.[5]

As the modifications enacted in 2004 demonstrate[6], the Marriage Act is too easily used as a vehicle for political grandstanding, to the detriment of equality and fundamental civil liberties. [7] Replacement with a Civil Union Act, which explicitly includes same-sex couples, will ensure that all people in Australia have equal recognition and equal rights.

Policy text
The Pirate Party proposes the removal of government oversight of marriage in Australia.

The Marriage Act 1961 will be replaced with a Civil Unions Act.
 * Couples in a union under the Civil Unions Act will be afforded the same rights available under the current Marriage Act.
 * The Civil Unions Act will provide all people the opportunity to engage in a state recognized union with equivalent legal and monetary benefits to those provided currently within the Marriage Act.
 * The legal age of consent for involvement in a Civil Union shall be 18 years.
 * The institution of marriage will be removed from the purview of state authority and instead overseen by interested organisations to offer in adherence with their own beliefs.
 * No legal basis will be provided for any attempt to force any organisation to provide marriage services in cases where such an act would be at odds with organisational values.
 * This is in line with the freedom of religion granted by the Constitution of Australia.
 * Forced and arranged unions will remain explicitly banned in order to ensure civil liberties are protected.

Citations

1. http://www.austlii.edu.au/au/legis/cth/consol_act/ma196185/

2. http://www.comlaw.gov.au/Details/C2004A01361 and/or http://www.austlii.edu.au/au/legis/cth/num_act/maa2004165/sch1.html

3. http://www.abc.net.au/religion/articles/2011/05/13/3216153.htm

4. http://media.amsa.org.au/policy/2012/201203_marriage_equity_and_health_policy.pdf

5. http://www.equalrightstrust.org/ertdocumentbank/ERR06_special_Gillian.pdf

6. http://www.comlaw.gov.au/Details/C2004A01361

7. http://humanrights.gov.au/legal/submissions/marriage_leg.html

[| MAUT table link]

Resources

 * http://www.acon.org.au/sites/default/files/Marriage-Submission-to-the-Senate-Final.pdf
 * http://www.acon.org.au/sites/default/files/Marriage%20Amendment%20Bill%202004.PDF
 * http://www.lgbthealth.org.au/sites/default/files/National%20LGBTI%20Health%20Alliance%20Submission%20Senate%2002%20April%202012%20Final%20%282%29.pdf
 * http://www.australianmarriageequality.com/wp/get-informed/fact-sheets/
 * A history of marriage in Australia http://www.abc.net.au/unleashed/2778326.html
 * Bill by Bandt and Wilkie: http://parlinfo.aph.gov.au/parlInfo/search/display/display.w3p;query=Id%3A%22legislation%2Fbillhome%2Fr4748%22
 * Bill by Stephen Jones: http://parlinfo.aph.gov.au/parlInfo/search/display/display.w3p;query=Id%3A%22legislation%2Fbillhome%2Fr4749%22
 * Marriage Act: http://www.austlii.edu.au/au/legis/cth/consol_act/ma196185/

'''Got feedback or suggestions? Send us an email at policydev@pirateparty.org.au.'''

Meeting Schedule
This working group has concluded the drafting process and no further meetings are currently scheduled.