Victoria's newly unveiled roadmap for Metropolitan Melbourne outrules weddings until October 26 2021, or when Metro Melbourne hits 70% of 16+ fully vaccinated. The only exceptions to this rule as we are told, are couples facing end of life circumstances or "compassionate grounds" whereby they are at risk of deportation.

This ban forbids even the most basic form of marriage.

One which can take place in a public place and requires two witnesses and an officiant.

One which contains the legally required wording only.

One which in total should take up to 5 minutes.

Withholding couples from the most basic means by which people can get married seems to be inconsistent with public health concerns and beyond that questions the needs for marriage in our society and culture.

We are therefore petitioning Premier Daniel Andrews and the Victorian Government to do the following: 

1. Amend Victoria’s Roadmap for Metropolitan Melbourne to allow weddings to be held as a component of 80% of 16+ with a single dose rather than delaying until the expected date of October 26, 2021.

2. Allow the most basic setting under which a marriage can legally take place in Australia. Consisting of a 5 person ceremony inclusive of the couple, an officiant, two witnesses over 18.

3. Remove the limitations on who can marry within these circumstances, leaving the only impediments to marry as those which are outlined in the Marriage Act 1961 CTH.

4. Recognise that other states have prioritised weddings as part of moving out of lockdown due to the importance of marriage in our society and those within Metropolitan Melbourne deserve the same right.

#5peopleweddings

Couples are at a loss

Many couples have been granted shortenings of time, to be permitted to marry before the one month notice period and due to lockdown restrictions have not been able to get married in the timely manner this clause in the Marriage Act 1961 CTH was written for.

Sadly, the ban on weddings is causing serious hardship and uncertainty on many couples who have not been able to marry in Metropolitan Melbourne since 16 July 2021. (Except for the slight break between lockdowns 28 July 2021 - 5 August 2021)

Many couples require to be married legally now, or are at risk of financial losses, career deprivation, becoming estranged by family, facing shame and humiliation, defying their cultural and/or religious beliefs.

It's about giving couples an option

A five person, legals only marriage is not for everyone. By allowing it in the next step of the roadmap as of 26 September 2021, we are asking to give couples an option. Give them the chance to decide if this is how they want to be married.

And for those who are without any other option, allow them a marriage which will be legally recognised.

No one wants an outbreak to occur at a wedding

Weddings used to be an occasion for celebration. However, since the introduction of COVID-19 the wedding industry has collapsed over the last 18 months with constant shutdowns and restrictions on how it can operate. There is no way anyone in the industry wants a wedding linked to an outbreak.

Celebrants and ministers are exceptionally vigilant to avoid fines or the risk of contracting the virus or being part of its spread.

A legally worded ceremony with paperwork signing can be done safely with risk aversion, using the principles we are asked to use as shoppers in a supermarket and the methods those who have remained open have used.

This is a plight for the people who need a piece of paper to say their married! Daniel Andrews, is is not our place to judge why people should be getting married. You can give them a safe option to do so now - before they are pushed to necessary limits.

October 26, 2021 is too long to wait!