Australian Marriage Equality (AME) has
expressed anger and disgust at an
attempt by Attorney-General Philip
Ruddock to block the wedding of an
Australian man to his male partner in
the Netherlands.
"This
is a low act by Philip Ruddock and
damages Australia's reputation among the
international community", said Mr
Furness, National Convenor of AME.
Peter
Kacukska, from Melbourne, who lives with
his partner in Vienna, sought in August
last year a 'Certificate of No
Impediment to Marriage' (CNI) required
by Dutch authorities confirming that he
was not married. Australian embassies
provide a CNI as this evidence.
The
Austrian Embassy refused to provide this
document as the Attorney-General's
Department had written to Australian
embassies instructing them not to
provide CNIs to anyone wishing to enter
into a same sex marriage.
The
Netherlands ultimately accepted a copy
of this letter and an affidavit from Mr
Kakucska as proof he was single. The
couple were married in November.
"There
is no legal requirement preventing the
issuance of a Certificate of No
Impediament to Marriage", said Mr
Furness.
"The
Government's actions are not
only callous and inhumane but
also highly embarrassing for Australia.
"The
question of legal action against the
Government is being seriously considered
by Peter Kakucska and AME would back him
all the way.
"Decent
Australians will be appalled by this
latest act of meanness and pettiness",
said Mr Furness.
