Same Sex Marriage: new wedding form revealed

It may have taken a while for our marriage laws to be updated, but there’s better news on a new marriage certificate.

The Governor-General, Sir Peter Cosgrove receiving Malcolm Turnbull and George Brandis for the assent of the Marriage Amendment Bill. Picture: Kym Smith.

Same-sex couples will on Saturday begin submitting their “intended marriage” forms which include new categories of “partner” and gender “x” after the governor-general signed-off the newly passed marriage laws.

Sir Peter Cosgrove gave the laws royal assent on Friday morning, while the new forms which give a month’s notice of a couple’s intended marriage went online.

“It is now part of Australian law,” an elated Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull said after he and Attorney-General George Brandis visited the governor-general.

The new attorney-general’s department “notice of intended marriage” form replaces the old one on Saturday, with the first same-sex weddings expected to follow a month later on January 9.

The form has a new heading Party 1 and Party 2 replacing Bridegroom and Bride, with a “Description of party” section offering three options: “groom”, “bride” and “partner”.

As well, there are three boxes for gender: “male”, “female” and “x” - which is described as “indeterminate, intersex or unspecified”.

One of those quick to make the most of the law change is Australia’s ambassador to France, Brendan Berne, who posted a video on the embassy’s Facebook page of his proposal to his partner of 11 years, Thomas.

“Now, as Australia has just approved marriage equality it is my turn ... to ratify my relationship,” he said in French.

The new marriage form.

‘Go out and get married’

Same-sex couples will be able to marry from early January after the Governor-General signed-off new marriage equality laws.

Sir Peter Cosgrove gave the laws royal assent on Friday morning when he was visited by Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull and Attorney-General George Brandis in Canberra.

“It is now part of Australian law,” an elated Mr Turnbull said.

“It is a big Australian hug for all same-sex couples, saying we love and respect you, now go out there and get married,” he told the Seven Network.

Earlier, Mr Turnbull accused Labor of playing “petty politics” on the issue of same-sex marriage, as the government seeks to claim credit for the passing of the historic bill yesterday.

The Prime Minister this morning described the legalisation of same-sex marriage as “one of the most remarkable moments in our history”, and told Channel Seven’s Sunrise program that he was the first Australian prime minister to commit to ensuring gay couples could marry.

He said that Labor “appeared to be taking credit for other people’s work”.

“The Labor Party were in government for six years and both PMs Rudd and Gillard said they were opposed to it, and obviously Tony Abbott was,” Mr Turnbull said.

“The big game changer ... was the postal survey. I promised at the last election to give everyone their say. Labor did everything they could to stop that happening.

“The Labor Party voted for it, which was good, but they did everything possible to stop people having their say.

“It was just plain petty politics.”

Mr Turnbull also continued to insist that religious freedoms would not be adversely affected by the bill.

“There are amendments that would have created more reinsurance, which I supported. This bill does not limit or undermine the religious freedom that all Australians enjoy,” he told Channel Nine’s Today program.

“I know concerns, real concerns have been expressed and I respect those concerns. That is why I have asked Philip Ruddock to head a panel to review the views of religious freedom in Australia and to what extent it is adequately protect.

“This is one of the freest nations in the world. You are free to express whatever religious view you like and practice your faith, as you wish. That is just part of our way of life. In fact, it is reflected in our constitution.”

Same-sex couples will be able to lodge formal intentions to wed from tomorrow, allowing them to marry from January 9.

Gay couples who tied the knot overseas will have their unions officially recognised as soon as the laws gain royal assent this morning.