Marriage education for all Australians

Hello Rona Goold,

Given the Government's concerns about child and forced marriage and domestic violence, there is an opportunity now to ensure ALL marriage celebrants are educated and up-to-date on marriage law and government initiatives to promote and support stronger relationships.

Topic:   Anomalies between Subdivision C Commonwealth Celebrants, Subdivision A Recognised Religious Celebrants and Subdivision B State & Territory employed Births, Deaths & Marriage Officers.
 
For your information, only one third of marriage celebrants (Subdivision C Commonwealth Celebrants) are required to do any continuing professional development once they have been authorised.

The remaining two-thirds (Subdivision A Recognised Religious Celebrants and Subdivision B State employed Births, Deaths & Marriage  officers) do not have to complete any ongoing professional development.

The Marriage Act needs to be changed for greater consistency in order for the general public to know and understand what a marriage is in Australia, whether the ceremony is conducted by Recognised Religious Celebrants, State Officers who conduct marriage ceremonies or authorised Commonwealth Marriage Celebrants such as ourselves.

MPs and Senators can support changes so that

1. Every marriage celebrant is required to complete a minimum number of hours of Continuing Professional Development;
   
   
2. Every marriage ceremony includes clear consent by the parties to the marriage in front of an authorised celebrant, whether the celebrant is religious or not;
   
   
3. Every marriage celebrant to make clear to the parties to the marriage, witnesses and all the guests that a marriage according to Marriage law is being conducted and that they are the celebrant authorised by law to witness and register the marriage;
   
   
4. Every marriage ceremony to include a definition of marriage according to law and;
   
   
5. Improve education on marriage in Australia by coordinating efforts of all the relevant government departments and community agencies directly involved in delivering marriage services.

• The number of marriages increased in 2014 by 2,238 (1.9%) and the crude marriage rate increased from 5.1 in 2013 to 5.2 marriages per 1,000 estimated resident population in 2014
  
  
• Civil celebrants have overseen the majority of marriages since 1999 and the proportion of marriage ceremonies overseen by a civil celebrant increased again to 74.1 per cent of all marriages in 2014. ABS Reference

The Coalition of Celebrant Associations (CoCA) Inc is
the peak body for celebrants in Australia.

CoCA is an association of celebrant associations spanning the nation.

One of CoCA's key roles is to represent Commonwealth marriage celebrants concerns, needs and suggestions to the Attorney-General and the Attorney-General's Department and through its Protocol with the Department to provide advice on the development, implementation and review of the Commonwealth Marriage Celebrant Program.