The FINANCIAL -- Attorney-General Robert McClelland today
welcomed the resolution of the Australian Labor Party National
Conference on Certificates of Non-Impediment.
The Government will give full effect to the resolution of Conference and allow CNIs to be issued to same sex couples on the same basis as couples of different sexes.
When an Australian wants to marry overseas, local laws in the country in which they want to marry may require a Certificate of Non-Impediment to marriage to be issued before the marriage can proceed. Issuing a CNI to a couple would allow them to take part in the marriage ceremony overseas and be considered married according to the laws of that overseas country.
Such a marriage would not be recognised as a marriage in Australia but would be prima facie evidence of a de facto relationship including for the purposes of a civil union under some State and Territory laws.
Discussions between the Attorney-General’s Department and the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade are occurring to give effect to the administrative processes which are required to issue CNIs.
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