With numerous bills before Federal Parliament and a couple of parliamentary inquiries, marriage equality is a key focus for Australian politics in 2012. There are a number of ways you can show your support for marriage equality by making submissions to the following:

• The Senate Legal and Constitutional Affairs Committee Inquiry in on the Marriage Equality Amendment Bill 2010;
• The House of Representatives Standing Committee on Social Policy and Legal Affairs Inquiry into the Marriage Equality Amendment Bill 2012 and the Marriage Amendment Bill 2012; and
• A Notice of Motion in support of marriage equality tabled in the NSW Legislative Council. 

We know this may be confusing. For those keen to get involved in the process, we have outlined some more details below. We have also created a factsheet to assist those looking to make personal submissions on the legislation. Our marriage equality legislation factsheet is a great resource if you need help to get started.

While there are minor technical differences between the bills, taken together, they will support civil marriage equality by: 

• Amending the definition of marriage to the 'union of two people' regardless of their sex; 
• Recognising foreign same-sex marriages; and
• Providing religious ministers the freedom to perform marriages according to their faith. 

Senate 

The Marriage Equality Amendment Bill 2010 has been referred to and the Senate Legal and Constitutional Affairs Committee for review. 

In a similar vein to the Marriage Equality Amendment Bill 2012 in the House of Representatives, this legislation seeks to remove all discriminatory references from the Marriage Act 1961 to allow all people, regardless of sex, sexuality and gender identity, the opportunity to marry. 

Make a submission

Submissions are being accepted until 2 April 2012 and can be submitted online through the committee website, by post or by e-mail to This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it  

Make a submission online

Note: Follow the steps to log in, or create an account then select Marriage Equality Amendment Bill 2010 from the Make Submission list.

Further information and Senate Legal and Constitutional Affairs Committee contact details are available on the Committee website. 

House of Representatives 

The House Standing Committee on Social Policy and Legal Affairs has been requested to review and report on the Marriage Equality Amendment Bill 2012 and Marriage Amendment Bill 2012. 

Make your views heard

The House of Representatives has created an online survey that will collate feedback from all interested parties on both pieces of marriage amendment legislation. 

Participate in the survey 

The closing date for survey responses and comments is 20 April 2012.

Views or comments you have on the marriage equality bills can also be submitted via e-mail to This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it or by post. Further information and House Standing Committee contact details are available on the Committee's website.

NSW Legislative Council 

A Notice of Motion has been introduced into the NSW Legislative Council, which if passed, will demonstrate the NSW Legislative Council’s support for marriage equality and encourage the federal parliament to legislate accordingly. 

Send a message to your NSW Representatives

You can write to members of the NSW Legislative Council encouraging them to vote in support of this Motion using our online form. 

Send a message to NSW MLCs  

If you'd rather contact MLCs directly you may still use our suggested wording from this form. Contact details for all the members of the Legislative Council are provided on the NSW Parliament website.