The promise of immediate recognition for same-sex marriages performed overseas and at consulates has led to disappointment, with the Department of Human Services unprepared for the change.
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South Bowenfels couple Hayley Mitchell and Jamie Newton were thrilled to have same-sex marriage legislation pass in Australia and a declaration from Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull that marriages performed in consulates would be recognised immediately.
The couple were married at the British Consulate in Sydney four years ago, the first lesbian couple in Australia to take advantage of the British law change. Hayley is originally from Britain.
They have made South Bowenfels their home, living in an off-the-grid home and acting as WIRES carers, specialising in macropods.
“I never liked that word ‘de facto’. The word marriage has a strength to it. De facto just sounds like two women living together,” Hayley said.
Eager to finally be designated as ‘married’ on their government paperwork, Hayley took a copy of their marriage certificate into Centrelink’s Lithgow office.
“They told me there were no protocols in place for the change,” she said.
“It was really disappointing.”
A spokesperson for the Department of Human Services said that, while the recent law change would not change the way in which the department assesses relationships for social security and family assistance purposes (which have been recognised since July 2009), the “IT system will require changes to enable same sex-couples who marry to update their status accordingly”.
”Our current IT system houses layers of complex business rules and processes which can mean seemingly simple changes can have unforeseen impacts on other parts of the system,” the spokesperson said.
“We will work to progress this important change as quickly as possible.”
These issues mean the system is unlikely to be ready even after the first couples are allowed to marry in Australia, from January 9.
Jamie said she couldn’t wait for that official word ‘married’ to be included on her government paperwork.
“I want to see it on myGov [the Department of Human Services website),” she said.
“I’ll screenshot it and frame it and hang it on my wall.
“I’m proud to be married and I want to be married.”
Kirsty Horton
A journalist with 15 years of experience, Kirsty Horton has been the editor of the Lithgow Mercury newspaper and a journalist for mastheads including the Great Lakes Advocate, Nambucca Guardian News and Moree Champion. She is now a member of ACM's features and special publications team.
A journalist with 15 years of experience, Kirsty Horton has been the editor of the Lithgow Mercury newspaper and a journalist for mastheads including the Great Lakes Advocate, Nambucca Guardian News and Moree Champion. She is now a member of ACM's features and special publications team.
