Marriage Amendment (Definition and Religious Freedoms) Bill 2017

The majority voted against an amendment introduced by Senator David Leyonhjelm, which means the amendment failed.

Amendment text

(2) Schedule 1 , page 11 (line 20) , after item 47A , insert:

47AA Authorised celebrants (other than State and Territory officers) not bound to solemnise marriages etc.

Subject to subsection 39(4), nothing in this Part:

(a) imposes an obligation on an authorised celebrant to solemnise any marriage

Why did some Liberals vote Yes and others No?

The Liberal Party was split on this issue, with some voting Yes and others voting No. This split within the party is unusual but, given the nature of the subject matter of the vote, the Liberal Party decided to run this as a free vote, meaning that its members could vote however they chose rather than having to vote along party lines.

What does this bill do?

This bill will allow same-sex couples to marry under Australian law. However, it will also:

enable ministers of religion, religious marriage celebrants, chaplains and bodies established for religious purposes to refuse to solemnise or provide facilities, goods and services for marriages on religious grounds; and make amendments ... to provide that a refusal by a minister of religion, religious marriage celebrant or chaplain to solemnise marriage in prescribed circumstances does not constitute unlawful discrimination.

Read more in the bills digest.