As federal parliament heads off on its Christmas break, a cloud of uncertainty hangs over the legal community and the Australians who use the family law system. Amid a busy final sitting week, the Morrison government’s controversial plan to merge the…
Courts are delighted to welcome new judicial appointments
The Family Court of Australia (FCoA) and the Federal Circuit Court of Australia (FCC) are delighted with today’s announcement to appoint Judge Tom Altobelli to the FCoA and Ms Kylie Beckhouse as a judge to the FCC. Judge Altobelli has…
‘I’m not interested in just more reviews’: Anne Hollonds on the struggle to protect Australia’s children
The Australian government announced a major change to a policy that impacts child welfare last week. From 1 January, unemployment benefits will drop by $100 a week. The reduction of the coronavirus supplement was not described as a child welfare policy…
A decades-long crisis: the battle to fix Australia’s ‘broken’ family law system
Amid a two-year scuffle to reform Australia’s family law system, which is buckling under so much work that some judges are dealing with more than 600 cases, the parade of desperate and troubled people through its courts crawls on. In…
Domestic violence: 10 warning signs of an abusive relationship
Domestic violence is in a state of social emergency across Australia. As the pandemic rages and some parts of the country are still in lockdown, many will be isolating with their abusers. Family law expert Anne-Marie Cade explains the warning…
Law Council report says ‘insidious and pervasive’ domestic violence problem
An inquiry into family violence has heard of the insidious and pervasive nature of the problem in Australia, in an opening statement from the peak national body representing the legal profession. The Law Council has told a parliamentary inquiry into…
Divorcing where there’s a UK-based pension? Act now!
In recent years, there has been an increasing number of people moving abroad from the UK, with Australia and New Zealand being the most popular destinations. Whether these expats are motivated by family reasons, a sunnier climate, employment or retirement,…
COVID-19 and Family Law Decision-Making
All aspects of family law have been affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. It has posed challenges for the operation of the Family Court of Australia and the Federal Circuit Court, the obtaining of expert reports, the conduct of hearings, the…
Family law judges at breaking point, going from one ‘horrific’ case to the next
Family law judges are buckling under crippling workloads, and ever-increasing wait times are putting the nation’s most vulnerable women and children at risk, a Senate inquiry into Australia’s family law courts has been told. The Senate committee is examining two bills that…
Call for domestic violence to be recognized as a national emergency
A call for domestic violence to be recognised as a “national emergency” is at the heart of this year’s Country Women’s Association of NSW Awareness Week, beginning on Sunday, September 6. This year’s Awareness Week is shining the spotlight on…