The Family Court and kids at risk.

The Australian reports that the Attorney General has referred to the Family Law Council the issue of whether the Family Court should have greater powers to intervene in situations where abuse or neglect of children may occur.

Child protection campaigner Hetty Johnston, says the Family Court can be the setting where police, the Department of Public Prosecutions, corrective services and state child protection departments meet in a perfect storm of miscommunication.

The chief judge of the Family Court of Western Australia, Stephen Thackray, has highlighted exactly such a case where the system has failed a child, resulting tragically in a suicide.  The court was considering consent orders in the case, but behind the apparent consent of the parties was a far more complex and compromised story.

http://www.theaustralian.com.au/news/features/abbeys-death-spurs-efforts-to-ensure-theres-a-way-out-for-kids-at-risk/story-e6frg6z6-1227086899991?nk=abced7687292eabace818c293be39248