"Australia Blocks Gays From Marrying Abroad
by Peter Hacker, 365Gay.com Sydney, Australia Bureau

(Sydney, Australia) The Australian government of Prime Minister John Howard has moved to prevent same-sex couples from marrying in countries that recognize gay unions.

The government has instructed its embassies in Canada and in Europe to refuse to provide certificates to people they believe are gay stating that the individuals are single.

Some countries require proof from foreign nationals that people seeking to wed are not already married.

The government began sending out notices to its embassies last year, shortly after Howard's Liberal government passed legislation last year defining marriage as between a man and a woman. (story)

The notices were signed by Attorney-General Philip Ruddock..."

I'm frankly suprised, I thought contracts and legal documents legal in one part of the British Commonwealth were given full faith and credit in all countries/participants.

Very Sad.

R

A combination of John Howards conservative "Liberal Party" platform and the effect of gay marriages becoming legal in Britain and Canada seems to be driving this one.

Disappointing.

This won't hold up in the courts and now that it's been exposed I doubt Howard's government will defend it. I don't think that this will be popular among Australian constituents. There are already stirrings Down Under for recognition of gay couples even withing Howard's own party.

Question for any Aussie's on the board.....Is the government refusing to provide the needed certificates because they would in fact have to recognize a same sex union if performed in a country where such marriages are legal?

Prime Minister Howard seems to be a Bush wannabe in so many ways, just like the guy we seem to be about to elect in Canada.

[ January 15, 2006, 06:42 AM: Message edited by: swiminbuff ]

Just googling \"gay marriage australia\" news brings up several articles indicating that the issue of gay marriage is splitting even the conservatives in Australia.

The relatively conservative island state of Tasmania allows gay marriages and Mardi Gras will be a platform to push for a national law to do the same; similar to British and Canadian law.

It appears that Prime Minister Howard is taking this approach because of 3 Australian couples that married legally in Canada and are now going through the court system to have their marriages recognized under Australian law. Howard wants to stop future challenges. Australian immigration laws also do not recognize the marriage of foreign gay couples applying to immigrate to Australia as they do not qualify as family under Aussie laws.
Oz does not seem as progressive as its smaller neighbour New Zealand when it comes to same sex unions.

[ January 15, 2006, 10:30 AM: Message edited by: swiminbuff ]

So what's AUS going to do when they do marry overseas, bar them from re-entry? wink

Seriously, exile is out of the question; that principle does not exist under English law, as was demonstrably shown when Edward VIII abdicated the throne for Mrs. Simpson. Fines, imprisonment? I don't think so, given the jurisdictional issues involved in prosecuting "crimes" that aren't criminal where committed, and the obvious excessive punishment aspect as well. No, if AUS tries to prosecute this, the gov't will be walking itself into a losing battle before its own High Court.

The Government's position is that the marriage will not be reconised in Australia so they should not get married. I know that this sounds strange but that's the Liberal Govt for you. They are so f..ked, they are as bad as Bush Govt.