1) Marriage has Always been about... Yes, but it is only in recent times that the government has become involed. Let the churches make up whatever rules they want for their members.
2) The Tax Act, Social Security Act etc aren't't involved in marriage. That become irrelevant long ago to the ATO. Defactos, hetro or homosexual makes no difference at law.
3) I strongly believe it is best for a male and female to be involved in bringing up children but that is irrelevant to marriage these days. Defactos, IVF, Single parents etc, Its now Raferty's Rules. Inheritance laws and social norms no longer shun the bastard.
As state marriage has become meaningless it demeans government to be involved. It also cheapens the marriage 'brand'which really belongs to the churches who created the institution and uphold their own rules about what marriage should mean.
The state has gone into the sacraments business of the church. It doesn't have the fortitude to declare rules that go with the certificates it issues so it should get out of the business.
State issue marriage certificates have the power of a degree ordered from the back of a comic.
