Fact sheet: Marriage Amendment (Definition and Religious Freedoms) Bill 2017

In August 2017, Senator Dean Smith publicly released the Marriage Amendment (Definition and Religious Freedoms) Bill 2017 (the Bill). The Bill reflects the outcomes from the first consensus cross-party report released by the Senate Select Committee in early 2017 on how amendments to the Marriage Act could allow same-sex couples to marry while balancing freedom from discrimination and freedom of religion.

The Bill is supported by key members of the Liberal Backbench, the Australian Labor Party and the Greens as a pathway forward for marriage equality in the event that a Yes result is delivered in the Australian Marriage Law Postal Survey on 15 November 2017.

Click here to download the fact sheet, which outlines what the Bill means.

This explainer is not legal advice

The contents of this publication do not constitute legal advice, are not intended to be a substitute for legal advice and should not be relied upon as legal advice. You should seek legal advice or other professional advice in relation to any particular matters you or your organisation may have.

(Photo credit: Paris Buttfield-Addison)