Love is in the air across Queensland

Published Saturday, 19 January, 2019 at 09:00 AM

Attorney-General and Minister for Justice
The Honourable Yvette D'Ath

More than 1300 same-sex couples have wed in Queensland since same-sex marriage ceremonies could legally be held just over one year ago on January 9, 2018.

Attorney-General and Minister for Justice Yvette D’Ath said while same-sex marriage had been legal in Australia since December 9, 2017, couples had a 30-day waiting period before ceremonies could be held, unless they were granted an exemption.

“Since marriage changed to be more inclusive, 1330 same-sex marriages have been registered in Queensland one year on from January 9, 2018,” Mrs D’Ath said.

“Marriage celebrants from the Registry of Births, Deaths and Marriages wed 199 couples, while other celebrants conducted 1074 ceremonies. On top of this, 47 couples were married at courthouses and 10 had church weddings.

“Registry data shows that the majority of same-sex marriages have occurred in larger population areas such as Brisbane, the Gold Coast, Sunshine Coast and Moreton Bay regions, but there have been weddings across the state since the laws came into effect.

“Celebrants have 30 days to register a marriage after the event so there will be even more couples who have married over the past 12 months, but their registration application form is yet to be received by the registry.”

Queensland held Australia’s first same-sex marriage on December 15, 2017 as the couple was given an exemption from the waiting period due to their personal circumstances. Three other couples also received exemption from the waiting period.

 

Same-sex marriages regional breakdown (as at 9 January 2019)

LGA Council

Count

Brisbane City

460

Gold Coast City

159

Sunshine Coast Regional

123

Moreton Bay Regional Council

84

Cairns Regional Council

46

Noosa Shire Council

40

Townsville City

38

Douglas Shire Council

34

Ipswich City

32

Scenic Rim Regional Council

29

Logan City

29

Fraser Coast Regional

28

Mackay Regional Council

25

Toowoomba Regional Council

24

Redland City Council

23

Whitsunday Regional Council

20

Bundaberg Regional Council

17

Livingstone Shire Council

14

Rockhampton Regional Council

13

Lockyer Valley Regional

10

Southern Downs Regional

9

Gympie Regional

7

Tablelands Regional Council

5

Somerset Regional Council

5

Goondiwindi Regional Council

<5

Maranoa Regional Council

<5

Western Downs Regional Council

<5

Cassowary Coast Regional

<5

Gladstone Regional Council

<5

Balonne Shire

<5

Barcaldine Regional Council

<5

South Burnett Regional

<5

Charters Towers Regional

<5

Central Highlands Regional

<5

Isaac Regional Council

<5

Mareeba Shire Council

<5

Cook Shire

<5

Blackall-Tambo Regional

<5

Grand Total

1,330

PLEASE NOTE: Numbers less than five are not specified for privacy reasons.

ENDS

 

Media contact:

Emma McBryde 0447 155 332