This article is from the source 'guardian' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2016/jan/20/australia-refuses-to-recognise-marriage-of-british-mans-husband-who-died-on-honeymoon

The article has changed 9 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 1 Version 2
Australia refuses to recognise marriage of British man's husband who died on honeymoon Australia refuses to recognise marriage of British man's husband who died on honeymoon
(about 1 hour later)
A British man has called on the UK government to intervene after he was told his late husband’s status would be recorded on a South Australian death certificate as “never married”. A British man has called on the British government to intervene after he was told his late husband’s status would be recorded on a South Australian death certificate as “never married”.
David Bulmer-Rizzi died on Saturday after falling down stairs and cracking his skull at a friend’s home during the newlyweds’ honeymoon in South Australia.David Bulmer-Rizzi died on Saturday after falling down stairs and cracking his skull at a friend’s home during the newlyweds’ honeymoon in South Australia.
Australia has not legalised same-sex marriage. Overseas same-sex marriages are recognised in some states, but not in South Australia.Australia has not legalised same-sex marriage. Overseas same-sex marriages are recognised in some states, but not in South Australia.
The dead man’s husband, Marco Bulmer-Rizzi, was told the death certificate would state “never married” and he would not be recognised as next of kin. All arrangements for his husband’s funeral had to be made by David’s father, Nigel Bulmer, who flew to Australia on hearing of the accident.The dead man’s husband, Marco Bulmer-Rizzi, was told the death certificate would state “never married” and he would not be recognised as next of kin. All arrangements for his husband’s funeral had to be made by David’s father, Nigel Bulmer, who flew to Australia on hearing of the accident.
Related: Personal, political, persistent: how the campaign for marriage equality learned the hard wayRelated: Personal, political, persistent: how the campaign for marriage equality learned the hard way
Marco Bulmer-Rizzi told BuzzFeed that in the eyes of the Australian government, “I’m nothing”. Marco Bulmer-Rizzi told BuzzFeed that in the eyes of the Australian government “I’m nothing”.
Guardian Australia has contacted Bulmer-Rizzi for comment.Guardian Australia has contacted Bulmer-Rizzi for comment.
Advocates for marriage equality in South Australia called on the state’s government to join Tasmania, Victoria, New South Wales and Queensland in recognising overseas marriages.Advocates for marriage equality in South Australia called on the state’s government to join Tasmania, Victoria, New South Wales and Queensland in recognising overseas marriages.
“Most South Australians would find it appalling that our law has failed to recognise the love and commitment in David and Marco’s relationship,” said Harley Schumann, South Australian convenor for Australian Marriage Equality.“Most South Australians would find it appalling that our law has failed to recognise the love and commitment in David and Marco’s relationship,” said Harley Schumann, South Australian convenor for Australian Marriage Equality.
“A high priority for us is lobbying the South Australian government so this can’t happen again.”“A high priority for us is lobbying the South Australian government so this can’t happen again.”
Western Australia and the Northern Territory also do not recognise overseas same-sex marriages.Western Australia and the Northern Territory also do not recognise overseas same-sex marriages.
Australian Marriage Equality national director Rodney Croome said the “tragic case” tarnished Australia’s international reputation, and said the recognition of same-sex marriages in federal law would be a suitable “interim measure” in the pursuit of marriage equality. Australian Marriage Equality’s national director, Rodney Croome, said the “tragic case” tarnished Australia’s international reputation.
“I am angry about the pain David’s partner and family have been put through, the way this tarnishes Australia’s reputation and the fact our federal government has unnecessarily delayed reform by proposing a plebiscite.“I am angry about the pain David’s partner and family have been put through, the way this tarnishes Australia’s reputation and the fact our federal government has unnecessarily delayed reform by proposing a plebiscite.
“This tragedy highlights not only the need for marriage equality but its urgency. “This tragedy highlights not only the need for marriage equality but its urgency.”
The federal Coalition government has proposed a plebiscite on same-sex marriage after the next federal election (due this year), but without specifying how the result will influence any legislation. The federal Coalition government has proposed a plebiscite on same-sex marriage after the next federal election (due this year), without specifying how the result will influence any legislation.
All states should recognise overseas unions as an interim measure, Croome said.
Related: Same-sex marriage rights: how Australian states and territories compareRelated: Same-sex marriage rights: how Australian states and territories compare
“But the only way to ensure the love and commitment in same-sex relationships is equally recognised and respected is marriage equality at a national level.” All states should recognise overseas unions as an interim measure, Croome said. “But the only way to ensure the love and commitment in same-sex relationships is equally recognised and respected is marriage equality at a national level.”
A spokesman for the British high commissioner in Canberra said he would have to seek comment from London, but was aware of the case, which he said was “very distressing”. A spokesman for the British high commissioner in Canberra said he would have to seek comment from London but was aware of the case, which he said was “very distressing”.
Bulmer-Rizzi said when he contacted the British consulate he was told that “legislation differs from state to state ... and as such when registering death the local authority cannot state the deceased as married”.Bulmer-Rizzi said when he contacted the British consulate he was told that “legislation differs from state to state ... and as such when registering death the local authority cannot state the deceased as married”.
Bulmer-Rizzi said he had written to David Cameron, the UK Foreign Office and three MPs urging them to defend their own laws in foreign territories. He said he had written to David Cameron, the UK Foreign Office and three MPs urging them to defend their own laws in foreign territories.
“I understand they can’t change Australian law, but I’m not asking them to,” he told BuzzFeed. “I’m asking my own country to stand by its own laws. If the British government is aware that other countries do not recognise same-sex marriage they should try to defend what their law says.”“I understand they can’t change Australian law, but I’m not asking them to,” he told BuzzFeed. “I’m asking my own country to stand by its own laws. If the British government is aware that other countries do not recognise same-sex marriage they should try to defend what their law says.”
The Australian Greens called on the federal government to recognise same-sex marriages performed overseas. Senator Robert Simms of the Australian Greens said: “It’s appalling that a grieving husband is being treated this way. It really is degrading and humiliating and an example of the cruel nature of this element of Australian law.”
“It’s appalling that a grieving husband is being treated this way. It really is degrading and humiliating and an example of the cruel nature of this element of Australian law,” senator Robert Simms said.