Vanuatu’s Government side outnumbered the Opposition in Parliament and voted in favour of the Bill for the Marriage (Amendment) Act.
The Act commences on the day in which it is published in the Gazette.
During the debate the Opposition argued against the Bill.
The amendment allows the Minister to make Regulations under the Act. This Bill empowers the Minister, on the advice of the Registrar- General, to amend by Order a Schedule and to make Regulations under the Act.
Currently Section 10 of the Marriage Act states, every custom marriage shall be performed in a place and according to the form laid down by local custom while Section 21 states that the Minister responsible for Internal Affairs may by Order prescribe fees payable on the celebration of marriage.
The Civil Registry and Vital Statistics team says the first instances of registrations for Births, Deaths and Marriages are free of charge.
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