The New South Wales (NSW) opposition has spoken out after claims 14 child brides were forced into unofficial marriages to older men in the state last year.
Reports indicate some ceremonies were allegedly conducted clandestinely in suburban backyards by Islamic clerics. Western Sydney is home to the country’s largest Muslim community.
In 2023-24, the Australian Centre to Counter Child Exploitation reported 91 forced marriages in the country. That figure increased to 118 in 2024-25.
Meanwhile, NSW has reported 117 forced marriages since the 2018-19 financial year.
Natasha Maclaren-Jones, shadow spokesperson for preventing domestic violence, said the data was “proof” the current government was failing to act.
“Underage forced marriage is a horrific crime, it is not marriage, it is rape and child abuse, plain and simple,” Maclaren-Jones said in a statement.
“Under the Minns Labor government, underaged forced marriage has risen, and they have done nothing to stop kids known to [the Department of Communities and Justice or DCJ] becoming child brides.”
“With wait times to the helpline going through the roof, the Minns government is allowing these children to fall victim to predators,” she said.
The latest NSW data was obtained after The Daily Telegraph sought details under freedom of information laws into claims made to the Department of Communities and Justice (DCJ) child protection line.
Forced marriages have been outlawed nationwide since 2013, but in that time, only two people have been convicted.
The Epoch Times has contacted the NSW Department of Communities and Justice, the Australian Federal Police, Premier Chris Minns’ office and the Islamic Council of NSW for comment.
Last month, the commander of the Australian Federal Police’s (AFP) efforts to combat human exploitation, Helen Schneider, called on schools to be alert.
“It’s a crime people often assume doesn’t happen here in Australia. But it can, and it does. And, with potential victims often being school-aged, this makes school communities—from educators and parents through to fellow students—a key partner in awareness,” Schneider said.
Christian-Leaning Party Calls for Inquiry
Family First Party Leader Lyle Shelton said any instance of child marriage in Australia was unacceptable.
“Almost 120 reports in NSW alone—yet just two convictions nationwide since forced marriage was outlawed in 2013,” he said in a statement. “Something is badly wrong.”
“If elected, I will move for a parliamentary inquiry to investigate why so many children are being subjected to suspected forced marriages, why there have been virtually no prosecutions, and whether so-called ‘unofficial’ religious ceremonies are being used to evade Australian law.”
Shelton also called for anyone involved in such ceremonies to be subject to immediate visa cancellations and deportation.
“No religious cleric should be officiating at a ceremony that binds an underage girl to a potential paedophile,” he said.
“Whatever the cultural or historical precedent, Australia is a Judeo-Christian nation governed by the rule of law.
“There can be no tolerance for child marriage or for adults preying on vulnerable girls.”
