The Editor
The Age
Melbourne 3000
The comments of Tim Fisher regarding celebrants conducting ceremonies as "sponging off the taxpayer" and similar remarks are not coming across as in any way as arguable, fair or balanced.
I feel compelled to point out the obvious:
1. The 50 % of marrying couples who use celebrants are taxpayers. Their guests at weddings are taxpayers. The serving celebrant is also a taxpayer.
2. The clients of celebrants often pay for the use of public parks and Gardens - in some places I can quote up to a fee of $500 for minimal use. In this sense, these citizens can be assessed as already being taxed twice.
3. The clergy , including mainstream officiants such as Anglicans, now officiate in parks, gardens and similar places. (Most celebrant weddings are not in parks and gardens but in indoor venues.)
Celebrants have made an honourable contribution to Australian society. With the encouragement of Attorney-General Daryl Williams, they are developing creative, personal, and meaningful Rites of Passage which are contributing to the mental health and stability of society and helping provide a cultural and spiritual base for our social structure. They have been making enlightened use of the arts and artists and bringing meaning and joy to the lives of many Australians.
The graph keeps going up. One wonders what we have done to deserve such intemperate and illogical attacks. All we are currently seeking to do is to protect the secular and non-church going person from what is transparently a clear cut case of discrimination. What we look for from our politicians is fairness, appreciation, recognition and support.
Dally R. Messenger
National President and Spokesperson
Australian Federation of Civil Celebrants Inc.
Tue Dec 08 1998
Dally Messenger
at Queens College
University of Melbourne