Imagine trying to raise three young children, two with major health problems, with no access to money. That’s what life was like for Lisa* for many years. She didn’t have access to the family’s bank accounts and wasn’t given enough…
We need a separate body to judge the judges
Why talk about legal issues in an election campaign? It is too easy for lawyers to blame an attorney-general for deficiencies in the justice system. But justice is a whole-of-government issue. It must also be a whole-of-government priority. In 1901…
Antonia Kidman: Six Children & Two Legal Jobs. “It gets stressful”
The younger sister of actress Nicole Kidman has recently qualified as a lawyer, interning for two law firms and raising six children at the same time. The Singapore-based Kidman, 48, was talking on a Sydney television show when she said…
Call to end ‘court ordered’ child abuse
A senior domestic violence worker has called for an end to “court ordered” violence against children. The worker, who did not wish to be named, said children’s voices must be heard.”In Family Court they need to be listened to,” the…
Surrogate mum reveals the financial struggle behind the euphoria of handing over a baby
Brisbane mum Charli Lee thought she knew what she was in for when she decided to carry a child for someone else. As an altruistic surrogate, she would deliver a baby to a couple who couldn’t do so themselves. Charli…
Divorce isn’t always as complicated as it seems. This is what’s really involved
Relationships are complicated. When they end, they can get even more complicated. Sometimes lawyers are needed to help untangle your lives from each other, and you may need to go through what is basically a divorce, even if you never…
Resourcing, consultation key to improve family law
The Law Council of Australia will carefully consider recommendations by the Australian Law Reform Commission’s (ALRC) Family Law for the Future – An Inquiry into the Family Law System report but warned immediate solutions are required to ease pressures on the…
National family court should be scrapped and powers given to states, according to review of the system
Control over the family law system should be given to the states and territories, rather than the Commonwealth, under a radical proposal from the Australian Law Reform Commission (ALRC). The sector is widely regarded as painstakingly slow and prohibitively costly,…
Mother begs Prime Minister to intervene in son’s alleged abduction
It’s been six months since Gurvinder Kaur last saw her two-year-old son Tazveer Singh, after her husband took the boy to India last year and refused to bring him back. After being told there was nothing Australian authorities could do…
Royal Commission push as Hetty Johnston confirms senate run
A Royal Commission into Australia’s family law system will be the central issue for child protection advocate Hetty Johnston, who’s announced she’ll try to gain a Queensland senate spot in the upcoming federal election The founder of child advocacy group…