Commonwealth Celebrants to branch out into makeup, photography, dress hire, flowers ....
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CoCA Celebrant News - Elected Officials
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Hello Rona Goold,
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This news aims to keep Federal MPs and Senators informed of our Celebrant profession and the work of Australia's peak advisory body, The Coalition of Celebrant Associations (CoCA) Inc.
The Commonwealth Marriage Celebrant Program needs to be overhauled. The objectives of the 2002 Marriage Act amendments have not been achieved.
Here is an example of how the strict Conflict of Interest and Benefit to Business provisions are being watered down.
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Topic: The latest "Conflict of Interest and Benefit to Business Guidelines" for Commonwealth Celebrants further weakens the protections afforded marrying couples.
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The revised Guidelines state that the following products and activities are "generally acceptable" for a Commonwealth Marriage Celebrant to offer marrying couples:
- accessories for the ceremony (sand, jars, ribbons, chairs, runners, arches etc)
- fees for same-day lodgement of paperwork
- venue hire
- MC or DJ services
- wedding planning
- photography
- hair and make-up
- catering
- flowers
- dress hire
- car hire
- pre-marriage counselling
- working in partnership with your spouse or others to provide marriage-related services.
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CoCA, as the national peak body of celebrants, does not support this policy change because it considers:
- the consultation process conducted by the Department was poorly implemented and the survey tool flawed.
- combining celebrancy with other wedding related work diminishes the unique and professional standing of the marriage celebrant as a private person authorised by the Commonwealth to conduct marriages.
- all marriage celebrants under the Act should adhere to the same principles as regards Conflict of Interest and Benefit to Business.
State Officers and Recognised Religion Ministers are not permitted to offer wedding related services as part of their marriage duties. Commonwealth celebrants and the couples they marry should not be treated differently.
CoCA submitted a detailed submission with specific recommendations arguing that all civil and religious celebrants should be held to similar standards as regards conflict of interest and benefit to business provisions.
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| What can you do? |
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Recommend the Attorney General initiates an independent review of the Commonwealth Marriage Celebrant Programme to assess performance against the intentions of the Marriage Amendment Act 2002.
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Read more about Conflict of Interest and Benefit to Business
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If you need more information about our profession, please contact the CoCA Secretary.
Kind regards
Rona Goold
CoCA Secretary
secretary@coalitionofcelebrantassociations.org.au
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Disclaimer: This e-News is a publication under the auspices of the CoCA Inc. The ideas presented are not necessarily those of the editors nor of the CoCA Inc. The statements and opinions expressed in this publication are made in good faith for the development of civil celebrancy, and the CoCA Inc, editors, volunteers and contributors do not take any responsibility for those statements or opinions, any inferences that may be drawn from them, or actions or charges which may result from them. The Editor reserves the right not to print any item that is defamatory, or that is anonymously sent, and to edit any contributions as required.
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Published by:
Coalition of Celebrant Associations (CoCA) Incorporated
ABN: 60 306 885 313
www.coalitionofcelebrantassociations.org.au
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