Equal shared parental responsibility will no longer automatically be considered to be in a child’s best interest. That’s a good thing, particularly in domestic violence situations.
Articles on Family law reform
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A growing number of Republicans say that you shouldn’t be able to divorce simply because you’ve fallen out of love. It’s an idea with a long history.
We should celebrate that this bill is passing through parliament. But there are 2 key concerns.
New legislation will overhaul family law, including the onus on ‘shared parental responsibility’ but more needs to be done to give children a voice.
The ALRC review of the family law system, launched with great fanfare in 2017, has all but been forgotten. The government’s response to many recommendations was simply ‘noted’.
In interviews of separating parents, many expressed satisfaction with family dispute resolution and the courts. But less than half thought the family law system protects children’s safety.
The consequences of the parental alienation theory can lead to children getting a court order to visit or live with an abusive parent.
There have already been two recent inquires into family court, but none of their recommendations have been rolled out.
Top contributors
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Senior Lecturer in Law, Griffith University
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Professor in Politics and Journalism, University of Notre Dame Australia
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Associate Professor of Law, Monash University
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Senior Lecturer in Law, UNSW
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Professor of Family Law, University of South Carolina
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Emeritus Professor of Law, The University of Queensland
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Lecturer in Law, Monash University
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Senior Research Fellow, Australian Institute of Family Studies