Marriage
NARROWER TERMS
Report
Couple relationships
Many changes have occurred in Australia since the establishment of the Australian Institute of Families Studies in 1980. This snapshot presents some changes in relation to couple relationships.
Report
The practice of dowry and the incidence of dowry abuse in Australia
This Inquiry report makes 12 recommendations to government to address dowry abuse in Australia.
Report
When saying no is not an option: forced marriage in Australia and New Zealand
This report uses interviews with victims of forced marriage, community members, and government and non-government stakeholders in Australia and New Zealand, to describe the perceptions and realities of forced marriage.
Audio interview
How has same-sex marriage impacted on religious freedom in Ireland?
When Ireland legalised same-sex marriage in 2015, conservatives were concerned it would impact on religious freedom.
Guide
Chronology of same-sex marriage bills introduced into the federal parliament: a quick guide
This Quick Guide (February 2018 update) provides a chronological list of bills relating to marriage equality introduced into the federal parliament, including bills restored to the Notice Paper or reintroduced in a later parliament.
Report
Arrangements for the postal survey
The committee wishes to stress that the focus of this inquiry, as per the terms of reference, is not the legalisation of same-sex marriage, but rather to scrutinise the process that the government chose to undertake in order to reach the point where the national...
Report
Preliminary results of the coping with marriage equality debate survey
This resource outlines the results of a major survey into the stress impacts associated with the Australian marriage equality debate during the lead up to the postal survey results announcement.
Guide
Chronology of same-sex marriage bills introduced into the federal parliament: a quick guide
This Quick Guide provides a chronological list of bills relating to marriage equality introduced into the federal parliament, including bills restored to the Notice Paper or reintroduced in a later parliament.
Website
Australian Marriage Law Postal Survey
The results are in. View the details of the survey results
Commentary
Careful what you wish for
The 'Yes' campaign needs to be wary of its most enthusiastic supporters, writes Peter Brent.
Commentary
High Court gives go-ahead for marriage ballot
The High Court has struck down the challenges to the same-sex marriage ballot, clearing the way for voting papers to start going out next week.
Commentary
Marriage equality's secret weapon
One divisive figure in Australian politics could decide the result of the same-sex marriage postal vote.
Report
Marrying young: an exploratory study of young Muslim women's decision-making around early marriage
This research project was developed by the AMWCHR in response to an observed increase in the number of young Muslim women choosing to marry at a very young age. The project sought to examine factors leading to young women disengaging from education and employment, and...
Report
Report on the Commonwealth Government's Exposure Draft of the Marriage Amendment (Same-Sex Marriage) Bill
The committee embarked on this task cognisant of the deeply held beliefs and aspirations of people engaged in this national debate, regardless of how they view the institution of marriage. Debate surrounding previous bills introduced, and associated inquiries undertaken, into the issue of same-sex marriage...
Audio interview
Same sex marriage plebiscite 'surest and most immediate path' to reform: Attorney-General Brandis
Once the plebiscite bill for same sex marriage is passed by the House of Representatives, it will then be tested on the floor of the Senate, where it now looks unlikely to get the support the government needs. Federal Attorney-General, George Brandis, has appealed to...
Commentary
The plebiscite problem
Like much else in the forty-fifth parliament’s infancy, the same-sex marriage plebiscite has become hostage to the dynamics of contemporary politics: a weakened prime minister, a ferociously oppositional federal opposition led by a man also less than secure in his job, and a large, attention-craving...
Discussion paper
The High Court, democracy and same sex marriage
The High Court in 2013 overturned the understanding of marriage in the Marriage Act 1961 as an exclusive, voluntary, heterosexual union for life, and that the Constitution therefore allowed the introduction of same sex marriage if the Parliament so decided. It is argued that the...
Report
Child poverty and family structure: what is the evidence telling us?
Despite families being much smaller, parents being older, mothers being better educated and having much higher employment rates, child poverty has risen significantly since the 1960s. In 1961, 95 percent of children were born to married couples; by 2015 the proportion had fallen to 53...
Policy
Marriage celebrants
Under the Marriage Act 1961, a Commonwealth-registered marriage celebrant must: complete Certificate IV in Celebrancy be assessed as a fit and proper person, and pay an application fee and ongoing annual fees ministers of religion authorised to solemnise marriages are not subject to these standards...
Policy
Marriage equality
Most Australians support marriage equality and the Sex Discrimination Amendment (Sexual Orientation, Gender Identity and Intersex Status) Act 2013 prohibits discrimination on the basis of sexuality. However, the Marriage Amendment Act 2004 discriminates on the basis of sex, sexuality and gender by not allowing same...
Policy
Marriage equality
Right around the world, marriage equality is becoming a reality for many LGBTI couples. We have an exciting opportunity here – let’s work together and get marriage equality in place. With the support of the majority of Australians, the time is right for marriage equality...
Report
Same-sex marriage: issues for the 44th Parliament
Australia has achieved a high degree of equality between the treatment of same-sex and heterosexual relationships with marriage remaining the one significant area of difference. Executive summary Same-sex marriage has been on the political agenda in Australia for several years, as part of the broader...
Guide
Chronology of same-sex marriage bills introduced into the federal parliament: a quick guide
Overview: The recent result of the Irish referendum and the decision of the United States Supreme Court in favour of same-sex marriage has given the Australian campaign for marriage equality new momentum. The most recent same-sex marriage bill was introduced in early June 2015 and...
Fact sheet
Fact Check: Are de facto relationships more unstable than marriages?
Social Services Minister Kevin Andrews claims data shows that de facto relationships have a higher incidence of break-up than marriages.
Book
Looking for love in the legal discourse of marriage
Overview: This book examines the (in)visibility of romantic love in the legal discourse surrounding modern Australian marriage. It looks at how romantic love has become a core part of modernity, and a dominant part of the Western marriage discourse, and considers how the ideologies of...