The case settles a longstanding question: how does a civil marriage affect a couple’s earlier customary marriage?
Articles on Marriage Act
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The proposed exemption for civil marriage celebrants undermines the aims and nature of Australia’s flourishing civil celebrant program.
Churches have been exempt from sex discrimination laws for years – now those opposed to same-sex marriage want that exemption to be extended to individuals.
After an ugly and unnecessary postal survey, Malcolm Turnbull has had a win – but the conservatives in his government will still be pitching for a fight.
Now that the battle for marriage equality has been won, the fight over the legislation to enable it will heat up.
Conscience protections for those opposed to same-sex marriage should not be seen as excusing bigotry. Rather, it is a legitimate means of best promoting everyone’s welfare.
Australians will be asked to complete a voluntary, non-binding postal vote on marriage reform. Wouldn’t it be easier - and cheaper - to do a sample survey instead?
Your ideas are not immune to criticism just because you express them with sincerity: people are worthy of respect, ideas are not.
Now that same-sex marriage will not be put to a national vote, it is up to the Prime Minister to ensure that marriage equality is written into law.
As the US example shows, freedom of religion should not be allowed to morph into the right to discriminate.
Given the ubiquity of civil marriage and support for marriage equality, how do heterosexual brides and grooms who support marriage equality manage legal requirements at their weddings?
The push for marriage equality is not just about walking down the aisle in matching outfits; it’s become a potent symbol of equality and acceptance.
Ministers of religion who support marriage equality would be able to challenge the Marriage Act in the High Court. They would stand a good chance of winning.
It’s the plebiscite Australia doesn’t have to have. But if the plebiscite on marriage equality goes ahead, how should it be designed?
Same-sex marriage is about state recognition of the union between two people and is a political issue. Religious belief can apply in a church and in individual decisions, but not to a secular state.
Have you ever asked yourself why institutions continue to demand that we identify ourselves as male or female on every form? What difference does gender make to my bank account, to the tax office, or to…
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Associate Professor of Law, Monash University
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ANU Law, Australian National University
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Dennis Altman is a Friend of The Conversation.
Vice Chancellor's Fellow and Professorial Fellow, Institute for Human Security and Social Change, La Trobe University
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Professor of Human Rights Law, Monash University
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Emerita Professor of Politics, Adelaide University
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Associate Professor in Political Science and International Relations, The University of Western Australia