Raycom - It is difficult to understand why Australians for Marriage Equality spokesman Rodney Croome vehemently opposes a referendum, particularly when he goes around propagandising that the majority of Australians support same-sex marriage

Croome knows the statistical probability of ANY referendum getting up is around one in fifty. Even if his claim about the majority of Australians supporting homosexual marriage has legs (which I doubt), referenda haven't had much success in this country. Personally I believe thats because the sheeple don't trust politicians (lips moving and all that) ... YMMV

Yuyutsu -Anyone can already marry anyone (or even more than one) in Australia - the only question is whether or not they can pay a fee and receive an official piece of paper in return.

All that activists are currently fighting for is the right of a same-gender couple to pay a fee and receive a piece of paper in return. Why not just save that fee?

If I were Chinese, I would probably word it that such 'official recognition' by the authorities brings bad luck or poor Feng Shui to the relationship.

I've never even thought about marrying 'more than one', however I believe the authorities would not only take a VERY dim view of it, but they would at the very least demand a HUMUNGOUS 'fee' and / or a period of free accommodation.

Seems some people view the official piece of paper more significant than the relationship with their partner

Dunno about official recognition, but marrying 'more than one' would certainly result in bad luck and poor Feng Shui. Most married folk have enough problems with the one partner, who in their right mind would want two ??

Tony Abbott opposes a referendum on same sex marriage, now I wonder why !!

Dear Lexi,

Thank you for the information, I am looking into the law and intend to receive expert advice, especially regarding sections 101 and 103 of the 1961 marriage act and in particular I need to study the legal meaning of 'solemnise'.

<<Only marriage between members of the opposite sexes is recognised in this country.>>

I am not particularly concerned about same-sex marriage or about being recognised, I am concerned about my own intended marriage and we have no interest in becoming officially recognised anyway. All we want to do is have a private religious marriage ceremony before God, family and friends. We have no need for someone to tell us (and risk 6-months in jail) "Now you are married", but only to perform the sacrament itself. In other words, we are interested in the marriage itself rather than in its 'solemnisation'.

As it stands, we may need to choose between going underground and hoping not to be caught; doing it overseas; or risking 6 months in jail... for a most worthy cause.

(but from what I read, gay people in Australia already perform unofficial weddings and so far none have been charged or prosecuted - would the authorities then discriminate against heterosexuals?)

Who could believe that the state of Australia forbids and punishes people for performing a religious ceremony that harms nobody (I am of course not referring to human or even animal sacrifice, not even to disturbing the neighbours)!

Dear Yuyutsu,

You're most welcome and I wish you success in your
legal quest. I also wish you every possible Happiness
and Blessing in your married life.

All The Best.

Kipp - Tony Abbott opposes a referendum on same sex marriage, now I wonder why !!

Would anyone really know what goes on inside the head of the RAbbott ?? Judging from the historical perspective, the odds are well against ANY referendum getting up (from what I can see, around one question in fifty gets up), consequently there would need to be a lot of EXTREMELY effective evangelizing required to make a dint on the odds. Despite claims floating around to the effect that 'most Australians support homosexual marriage', its interesting that some presumably self-professed lord high & mighty of homosexuals vehemently opposes a referendum. Deems to me that character (whoever he is) has checked the history of referenda and decided there is more to be lost than gained.