Declaration of religious body as exempt religious body

1 The Registrar-General may, on receiving an application under section 32B , grant the exemption sought by declaring the religious body to be an exempt religious body if the Registrar-General is satisfied— a that the body is a bona fide religious body; and b that the beliefs of that body are genuinely and sincerely held by its members; and c that the beliefs or objects of that body are inconsistent with the fulfilment of the requirements of this Part relating to the solemnisation of marriage in the presence of a marriage celebrant; and d that the rules and procedures under which that body proposes to solemnise marriage are— i consistent with the requirements of this Act (other than those referred to in paragraph (c) ); and ii otherwise satisfactory. 2 If, on receiving an application under section 32B , the Registrar-General fails or refuses to declare the religious body to be an exempt religious body, the Registrar-General must, if required to do so by the religious body, refer the application to the Minister. 3 If the Minister considers that the requirements of subsection (1)(a) to (d) are satisfied, the Minister may direct the Registrar-General to declare the religious body to be an exempt religious body and, in that case, the Registrar-General must do so immediately. 4 A declaration under this section that a religious body is an exempt religious body must be made by way of notice in the Gazette .