The 2014 Greens bill, brought forward for debate in the Senate on Thursday morning, would remove the part prohibiting the recognition of overseas same-sex marriages in the Australian Marriage Act, and recognise the marriages under Australian law.



The current patchwork state laws were brought to international prominence in January after the tragic death of David Bulmer-Rizzi, on honeymoon in South Australia with husband Marco.

As overseas same-sex marriages are not recognised in SA, David's death certificate was initially marked "never married", and Marco was bypassed for David's father on decisions surrounding the death of his husband.

Fawcett said there are many types of marriages not recognised in Australian law – including same-sex marriages, marriages where both parties do not consent, and marriages involving children.