CoCA Celebrant News - Elected Officials - December 2014

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	News December 2014
	Hello Visitor, CoCA Celebrant News for Elected Officials aims to send you regular information related to the Marriage Act 1961, the Marriage Regulations, the Commonwealth Marriage Celebrant Program and more. TOPIC: Cost Recovery highlights deficiencies in over half century old Marriage Act. Cost recovery raises funds to regulate Commonwealth marriage celebrants to ensure they have prior training in marriage law, complete specified hours of professional development each year, work to a Code of Practice, adhere to sections 45, 46 and 113 of the Marriage Act, pay an annual regulation fee and remain a 'Fit & Proper" person. However these requirements do not apply to all Marriage Celebrants. More than half of Australian Marriage Celebrants are: not required to have any prior training in marriage law not required to have any continuing professional development in marriage law not required to work to a Code of Conduct not required to state their authorisation by law to perform marriage according to civil law not required to inform the couple, witnesses and guests when a marriage according to law is being conducted not required to have the couple give consent to marry in the marriage ceremony, if their approved ceremony omits this not required to have the couple and their witnesses in the same place, if their approved ceremony omits this aspect. In fact any unauthorised religious celebrant can conduct a religious marriage without telling the couple, witnesses or guests that the ceremony is not valid under Australian law. (Section 113) What can Government do to address this? The first step is to ensure the law is consistent in respect to the same basic legal requirements for marriage at all wedding ceremonies, whether conducted by religious or civil celebrants. One Marriage Act for one nation needs one set of simple legal basics requirements for all couples and all celebrants, whatever the style of ceremony. Remove confusion for marrying couples - Read more . . . More about CoCA What is CoCA? What religions are "recognised" under the Marriage Act? What religions do independent religious celebrants represent? CoCA liaises with the Attorney-General's Department in Canberra on issues relating to Marriage Law and the Marriage Celebrancy Sector. If you need more information about this issue or information about our profession, please contact the CoCA Secretary. Kind regards CoCA Secretary secretary@coalitionofcelebrantassociations.org.au Published by: Coalition of Celebrant Associations (CoCA) Incorporated ABN: 60 306 885 313 www.coalitionofcelebrantassociations.org.au
	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. CoCA values transparency, freedom of speech and information in its operations.
	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. delegates. 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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