Commonwealth Consolidated Acts Commonwealth Consolidated Acts(1) Subject to subsection ( 2), before a marriage is solemnise d by or in the presence of an authorised celebrant, not being a minister of religion of a recognised denomination, the authorised celebrant shall say to the parties, in the presence of the witnesses, the words:
"I am duly authorised by law to solemnise marriages according to law.
"Before you are joined in marriage in my presence and in the presence of these witnesses, I am to remind you of the solemn and binding nature of the relationship into which you are now about to enter.
"Marriage, according to law in Australia , is the union of 2 people to the exclusion of all others, voluntarily entered into for life.";
(2) Where, in the case of a person authorised under subsection
39(2) to solemnise marriages, the Minister is satisfied that the form
of ceremony to be used by that person sufficiently states the nature and
obligations of marriage, the Minister may, either by the instrument by which
that person is so authorised or by a subsequent instrument, exempt that person
from compliance with subsection ( 1) of this section.