Government to toughen forced marriage laws

PARENTS who force their adult children into marriage could be jailed, under draft laws the Federal Government plans to bring before Parliament next year.
The Government today released an exposure draft of a new bill aimed at toughening Australia's laws against forced marriage, forced labour and other slavery-like practices.

The bill will explicitly outlaw coercing, threatening or deceiving anyone - underage or adult - into a marriage they don't want.
Until now, prosecutions have been mounted only against people for forcing minors into marriage.