Documents Relating To The Department’s Assessment Of Organisations To Be Recognised Under The Marriage Act 1961.

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The Attorney-General's Department released documents assessing religious organisations for recognition as denominations under section 26 of the Marriage Act 1961. A November 2009 recommendation from the Marriage and Intercountry Adoption Branch proposed adding several organisations to the proclaimed list of recognised denominations, including the Federation of Australian Buddhist Councils (established 2000, 264 congregations, approximately 26,400 members) and Ozreach Incorporated (established 1993, 17 churches across three states, approximately 4,600 members). Both organisations met departmental guidelines for independent religious status and demonstrated capacity to nominate marriage celebrants and manage administrative functions under the Marriage Act. Substantial redactions under section 22(1) of the Freedom of Information Act obscured additional content, and a separate 2013 document marked as sensitive legal material was also released with significant material withheld.